Astellas and CoMentis Sign Agreement to Collaborate on the Research, Development and Commercialization of Beta-Secretase Inhibitors
" Partnership will Accelerate the Development of
Disease-Modifying Alzheimer's Disease Therapies "
TOKYO and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 25, 2008 "
Astellas Pharma, Inc. and CoMentis, Inc. announced today that the
companies have entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration
agreement to develop and commercialize products from
CoMentis' beta-secretase inhibitor program, including
CoMentis' lead candidate compound CTS-21166, an orally
bioavailable, small-molecule beta-secretase inhibitor which is
being developed as a disease-modifying treatment for
Alzheimer's disease. The agreement also includes a research
collaboration to develop additional beta-secretase
inhibitors.
"We are pleased to initiate a great partnership with
CoMentis," stated Hirofumi Onosaka, Astellas's Senior
Corporate Executive. "I strongly believe that CoMentis is
very sophisticated in small-molecule drug discovery and development
in CNS, the area of attention. Astellas is committed to developing
the CNS therapeutic area as one of our prioritized therapeutic
areas, and this partnership is expected to be a driving force to
accelerate the establishment of our CNS
infrastructure."
"CoMentis' beta-secretase inhibitors have the potential
to become first-in-class disease modifying therapeutic agents and
we believe that Astellas has the expertise and commitment necessary
to develop and commercialize these compounds." said W. Scott
Harkonen, M.D., CoMentis' President and Chief Executive
Officer. "This licensing agreement will allow CoMentis to
benefit through significant up-front licensing fees and milestones,
while retaining substantial economic participation in the
commercialization of beta-secretase inhibitors."
Upon closing, CoMentis will receive an upfront payment of $80
million and an equity investment of $20 million. CoMentis has the
opportunity to receive up to $660 million in development milestones
and may also receive performance-based commercialization
milestones. In addition, CoMentis has the right to receive
development milestones for next-generation beta-secretase
inhibitors discovered under the terms of the research
collaboration. Astellas will fund 100% of the pre-Phase III global
development costs and CoMentis will share the Phase III development
costs. Astellas has exclusive worldwide commercialization rights
while CoMentis retains the right to co-promote in the U.S., where
profit will be shared. CoMentis will receive royalties on sales
outside the U.S.
About Beta-Secretase Inhibitors
The action of the beta-secretase enzyme on the amyloid precursor
protein leads to the formation of plaques in the brain and is
implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Inhibition of
beta-secretase reduces amyloid beta production and could slow the
progression of Alzheimer's disease. CTS-21166 is the first of
several highly selective, potent and orally active beta-secretase
inhibitors being developed by CoMentis.
CoMentis recently reported results from a Phase I trial in healthy
volunteers. The trial was designed as a dose escalation study to
measure the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of CTS-21166
following intravenous administration. Forty-eight subjects received
one of six different doses or placebo. The study measured levels of
CTS-21166 and levels of amyloid beta in the plasma. CTS-21166
demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetic properties including dose
proportional exposure and very low inter-subject pharmacokinetic
variability. In addition, the pharmacokinetic profile is consistent
with once a day dosing and will support a commercial product.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc., located in Tokyo, Japan, is a pharmaceutical
company dedicated to improving the health of people around the
world through the provision of innovative and reliable
pharmaceutical products. Astellas has approximately 13,900
employees worldwide. The organization is committed to becoming a
global category leader by rapidly establishing a business model in
Urology, Immunology and Inflammatory, Diabetes, CNS/Pain,
Infectious diseases (virus), and Cancer. We have discovered an
over-active bladder (OAB) medication, Vesicare and an
immunosuppressive agent, Prograf (tacrolimus), which have
enabled us to become an established leader in both Urology and
Immunology. For more information on Astellas Pharma Inc., please
visit the company's website at www.astellas.com
About CoMentis
CoMentis, Inc. has its headquarters in South San Francisco, with
research operations in both South San Francisco and Oklahoma City.
The company is engaged in the discovery and development of
small-molecule drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease,
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cognitive disorders. The
company has two fundamental technology platforms: (i) aspartic
protease inhibitors, including beta-secretase inhibitors for
Alzheimer's disease; and (ii) nicotinic acetylcholine
receptor (nAChR) agonists and antagonists for the treatment of
angiogenesis mediated diseases and cognitive disorders.
CoMentis currently has three product development programs based on
its two technologies: ATG-3, a topical (eye drop) anti-angiogenesis
compound for neovascular AMD; CTS-21166, an orally active
beta-secretase inhibitor for Alzheimer's disease; and GTS-21,
an oral agonist of the alpha-7 nACh receptor pathway for cognition
enhancement. For more information: www.comentis.com
CONTACT ASTELLAS:
Corporate Communication
+81-3-3244-3201
www.astellas.com
CONTACT COMENTIS:
W. Scott Harkonen, M.D,President & CEO
Office (650) 869-7600
press@comentis.com
Copyright © 2008 CoMentis Inc. All rights Reserved.
Posted: April 2008
