The Medicines Company acquires CU-2010 and Curacyte Discovery

The Medicines Company, of New Jersey in the US, has acquired German-based Curacyte Discovery and its lead compound, CU-2010, which is being developed for the prevention of surgical blood loss.

CU-2010 is a small molecule serine protease inhibitor. In preclinical studies, the compound has demonstrated a favourable pharmacokinetic profile for the surgical setting with a rapid onset and offset of effect, due to its short half-life. The Medicines Company expects to commence Phase I clinical testing of CU-2010 in 2008.

This acquisition gives The Medicines Company an integrated development capability around inhibitors of serine proteases - a drug class that includes bivalirudin (Angiomax), the Company's leading hospital antithrombotic.

"The acquisition of CU-2010 fits within our focused business development strategywhich is to evaluate both early- and late-stage compounds in our core area of expertise, critical care medicine, particularly thrombosis and hemostasis," said Glenn Sblendorio, executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Medicines Company. "CU-2010 brings further depth into our existing portfolio of marketed and development products in cardiac critical care."

The Medicines Company paid Euro 14.5m upon signing of the agreement. On decision by The Medicines Company to progress development of CU-2010 into Phase II, a further payment of €10.5m will be made. If commercialised, a low, single-digit royalty and a single future commercial milestone payment will be made.