Ovid Therapeutics Announces Strategic Research Collaboration Focused on Accelerating the Development of New Treatments for Rare Neurological Diseases

Ovid Therapeutics Inc. recently announced a strategic research collaboration with Columbia University Irving Medical Center researchers (Columbia) to advance genetic-based therapies for a range of rare neurological conditions, complementary to Ovid’s current pipeline. This collaboration provides Ovid with the potential to expand its future drug development portfolio and impact individuals living with rare genetic neurological conditions.

Under this research and translational development alliance, Columbia will align its expertise in rare disease genetics and deep clinical understanding of rare neurological diseases with Ovid’s discovery, translational, and clinical development expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders and rare epilepsies. Ovid will work closely with Wendy K. Chung, MD, PhD, the Chief of Clinical Genetics, and leader of the Precision Medicine Resource in the Irving Institute at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Chung is a recognized genetics leader with over 20 years of experience in human genetic research of monogenic and complex traits, mapping and cloning genes in humans, and describing the clinical characteristics and natural history of novel genetic conditions. A 2019 National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Rare Impact Award Honoree, Dr. Chung is also a leader and advocate within the rare disease patient community.

Under the collaboration, Ovid will work together with Columbia scientists to identify molecular targets for developing genetic/molecular therapeutic approaches for rare neurological conditions such as KIF1A-associated neurological disorder (KAND) and other rare conditions.

“Ovid has made significant progress in all its late-stage clinical programs. We are excited to see multiple read outs of clinical data throughout the year. It’s time to begin to build our pipeline for our long-term future in a disciplined and strategic fashion. This next step is built on, and will complement, the important programs we already have in place,” said Amit Rakhit, MD, MBA, President and Chief Medical Officer of Ovid Therapeutics. “Joining forces with Columbia and Dr. Chung, a world-class clinical geneticist, will enable Ovid to begin to build a robust gene and molecular therapy platform for the future treatment of inherited neurological conditions.”

“My laboratory is committed to discovering innovative new targets and therapies to address rare neurological diseases with few or no treatment options,” said Dr. Chung. “This alliance is further evidence of Columbia’s unwavering commitment to enabling groundbreaking research and developing cutting-edge technologies to treat neurological conditions. We are excited to partner with Ovid and the patient community to help advance these programs into clinical trials for development of new potential therapies.”

Ovid Therapeutics Inc. is a New York-based biopharmaceutical company using its BoldMedicine approach to develop medicines that transform the lives of patients with rare neurological disorders. Ovid has a broad pipeline of potential first-in-class medicines. The company’s most advanced investigational medicine, OV101 (gaboxadol), is currently in clinical development for the treatment of Angelman syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Ovid is also developing OV935 (soticlestat) in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the potential treatment of rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). For more information, visit http://www.ovidrx.com/.