Zentaris and Solvay Pharmaceuticals sign collaboration agreement
German biopharmaceutical company Zentaris, a subsidiary of US-based AEterna Laboratories, has entered into an extensive collaboration agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, of Belgium.
German biopharmaceutical company Zentaris, a subsidiary of US-based AEterna Laboratories, has entered into an extensive collaboration agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, of Belgium.
The two companies will jointly push ahead Zentaris' research project aimed at developing novel, low molecular weight and orally-bioavailable peptidomimetic LHRH (Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone) antagonists. Potential indications include endometriosis, uterus myoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as malignant disorders such as breast and prostate cancer.
As part of the agreement, Solvay Pharmaceuticals secures exclusive worldwide rights to all gynecological indications as well as to BPH, while Zentaris retains exclusive rights to all other indications, including oncology.
The contract also provides for Zentaris to receive, upon signing, an amount of C$5m resulting from an upfront payment, as well as proceeds from the coverage of past development costs. Solvay will fund further preclinical and clinical development activities to be performed by Zentaris up to a fixed amount and to make milestone payments.
Following Zentaris' ongoing interest in the area of LHRH antagonists, a drug discovery project aiming at the identification of peptidomimetic leads was initiated a few years ago. Such leads are expected to act on the LHRH receptor similar to decapeptides, however, with the crucial benefit of oral bioavailability. Having achieved proof-of-principle regarding oral bioavailability, Zentaris now expects to have a preclinical development candidate available in the course of this year.