Oryzon Genomics, S.A. announced the start of a preclinical collaboration with the CMT Research Foundation (CMTRF) to explore Oryzon's histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitors. CMT is a progressive, degenerative disease involving the peripheral nerves. It affects one in 2,500 people (about the same prevalence as multiple sclerosis), including 150,000 Americans and more than 3 million people around the world.

It is one of the most prevalent conditions among rare diseases and currently lacks effective treatments or cures. CMT is caused by a variety of genetic mutations. CMT1A is the most prevalent of all, accounting for approximately half of all people with CMT.

HDAC6 inhibitors have been previously described as potentially effective treatments for CMT. Oryzon has recently completed an HDAC6 discovery program leading to the selection of two potential preclinical candidates with promising efficacy, selectivity and safety. Under this collaboration, CMTRF will be financing a series of in vivo tests with Oryzon's HDAC6 candidates in a murine model of CMT1A, which reliably recapitulates many of the symptoms of this condition in humans.