Companies Put Aside Competition for the Benefit of Autism Drug Research

July 9, 2012 | Crandall & Pera Law
Companies Put Aside Competition for the Benefit of Autism Drug Research

Competition between pharmaceutical companies to develop the newest, best drug is commonplace in the medical world.

What is rare is when two competitors join forces, which is exactly what is happening in the race to develop drugs to treat mental retardation and autism, according to The New York Times.

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche and Seaside Therapeutics, a small private company, will be teaming up to save money and get their drug to the market sooner. These drugs might be able to relieve some of the behavioral problems associated with autism, especially in the form of fragile X syndrome which 100,000 Americans have.

While Roche is currently in second place of all companies, behind Novartis, in clinical trials, Seaside has valuable patents that could provide leverage in partnership; Seaside would give Roche exclusive rights to these patents and halt the development of their drug while receiving royalties off the drug put out by Roche.

"This deal will establish the biggest effort to date," in autism drugs, said Luca Santarelli, head of neuroscience for Roche. Read the complete details here:

Competitors Form Partnership to Develop Autism Drugs

Steve Crandall, a top rated medical malpractice attorney in Ohio and Kentucky, applauds the two companies willing to put aside their competition in order to get badly needed medication to the market.

"What is also needed is money and efforts to find out why autism is on the rise in our country, as the number of children affected by this disease has skyrocketed," says Crandall.

If you have any medical malpractice questions, contact Steve Crandall. Steve is available to help answer your  questions and guide you in determining your next steps.