SAN JOSE, Calif., BOLOGNA, Italy, and NEW YORK, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Edison Pharmaceuticals, the University of Bologna and Columbia University Medical Center announced today a collaboration in the field of inherited mitochondrial diseases. By combining preclinical biology skills and clinical expertise resident at Columbia and Bologna, with translational and drug development competencies of Edison, the integrated team intends to bring forward new therapeutic candidates to treat these diseases. The collaboration will focus on mitochondrial diseases affecting the eye and brain. Redox encrypted pharmacophores identified from Edison's chemistry efforts will be evaluated in unique systems-biology screens established at Columbia and Bologna. The collaboration is set forth to identify new classes of compounds addressing respiratory chain defects associated with inherited mitochondrial diseases, as well as molecular targets and clinical biomarkers. Work performed at Columbia University Medical Center will broadly explore Edison's chemistry for a variety of mitochondrial diseases that share a common mechanism -- defects in electron transfer -- essential for energy metabolism. "There is a growing awareness of the role of mitochondria in disease. In addition to being central in inherited mitochondrial defects, there is substantial evidence linking mitochondrial dysfunction with Parkinson's Disease, brain injury and diabetes," stated Eric Schon, PhD, Lewis P. Rowland Professor of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center. "This body of research is intended to translate basic biochemical insights into important therapeutic developments relevant not only for inherited mitochondrial diseases, but also for other conditions that share a common mechanism." Complementing work performed at Columbia University Medical Center, investigations conducted at the University of Bologna will more narrowly focus on applications in inherited mitochondrial diseases affecting the eye. "The eye is highly dependent upon energy derived from the mitochondria to perform vital events associated with vision," stated Valerio Carelli, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Neurogenetics at the Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna. "Initially we will focus on Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and other inherited mitochondrial diseases with visual manifestations. We expect that the results of our work should not only have broad applications for these diseases, but may find utility in macular degeneration and other retinal diseases." "Edison Pharma is committed to translational initiatives and drug development in orphan mitochondrial diseases," stated Guy Miller, MD, PhD, CEO of Edison. "This partnership is one of several that we will announce, central to forming a critical mass of investigators worldwide to develop drugs for these untreated diseases." About Columbia University Medical Center Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in pre-clinical and clinical research, in medical and health sciences education, and in patient care. The medical center trains future leaders in health care and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, nurses, dentists, and public health professionals at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the Mailman School of Public Health, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center researchers are leading the discovery of novel therapies and advances to address a wide range of health conditions. http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/ About University of Bologna The University of Bologna is recognized as the oldest university in the western world and offers a multi-campus structure, which is divided into 23 faculties, 68 departments and 5 university campus branches within the cities of Bologna, Cesena, Forli, Ravenna and Rimini. Its Department of Neurological Sciences has an international reputation for clinical and biological research in the fields of epilepsy, sleep and neurodegenerative diseases. http://www.neuro.unibo.it/ About Edison Pharmaceuticals Edison Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is focused on the development of drugs to treat energy impairment diseases, also referred to as mitochondrial diseases. The company is advancing into clinical development EPI-A0001 for the treatment of inherited mitochondrial diseases predominately affecting children. Edison's technology platform consists of a specialized knowledge in redox medicinal chemistry which the company believes is essential to drugging key targets contained within mitochondria. Edison will leverage clinical and laboratory data obtained in rare, or orphan, diseases to pursue other conditions that share common mechanisms. The company has obtained substantial non-dilutive peer-reviewed grant support to advance both its pre-clinical and clinical initiatives from foundations including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance, and Seek A Miracle. http://www.edisonpharma.com/ Edison Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Ms. Lorraine Gilmore, Manager Administration, of EdisonPharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-408-960-2910 or lgilmore@edisonpharma.com Web site: http://www.edisonpharma.com/