| Newron to grant safinamide license to Meiji Seika Pharma for Japan and key Asian territories |
| 05.01.12 07:17 | |
|
Milan, Italy, January 5, 2012 – Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (“Newron”), a research and development company focused on novel CNS and pain therapies, announced today it has agreed with Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (“Meiji”), a subsidiary of the Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, on the principal terms and conditions of a license transaction covering the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of safinamide in Japan and key Asian territories. A definitive agreement will be completed shortly and will become effective upon the return of the global rights to safinamide from Merck Serono, the division for biopharmaceuticals of German company Merck KGaA, to Newron by April 17, 2012. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Luca Benatti, CEO of Newron, said: “We are excited to have reached agreement with Meiji Seika Pharma so soon after initiating talks to re-partner the safinamide rights, and we are looking forward very much to the collaboration with our new partner. We are in ongoing talks on other territories and anticipate further news on this in due course.” Masahiko Matsuo, President and Representative Director of Meiji, said: “We are very pleased to have the collaboration with Newron, given their expertise within the CNS area. The unique profile of safinamide may address unmet medical needs in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Safinamide will enable us to strengthen our presence in the specialty of the CNS area.” JSB Partners LP have acted as financial advisors to Newron for this transaction. About safinamide Safinamide is an alpha-aminoamide that is currently being developed as an add-on therapy to dopamine agonists or levodopa in patients with early or late-stage Parkinson’s disease. It is believed to have both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic activities, including selective and reversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), activity-dependent sodium channel antagonism and inhibition of glutamate release in vitro. Studies are ongoing to better understand safinamide’s actions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. About Newron Pharmaceuticals Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (www.newron.com) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for diseases of the Central Nervous System and pain. Phase III trials of safinamide are currently ongoing for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Newron is currently evaluating the further clinical development of ralfinamide for pain and psychiatric diseases. Newron’s additional projects are at various stages of preclinical and clinical development, including HF0220 for neuroprotection, NW-3509 for the treatment of schizophrenia, as well as pruvanserin and sarizotan for treatment of CNS diseases. Newron is headquartered in Bresso, near Milan, Italy. The company is listed at SIX Swiss Exchange, trading symbol NWRN. About Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., the parent company of Meiji Seika Pharma, reorganized its operating companies, which resulted in the establishment of Meiji Seika Pharma on April 1, 2011. Meiji Seika Pharma, which inherited the pharmaceuticals business of Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd., is a "Speciality and Generic Pharmaceuticals Company" with a focus on the infectious disease area, the central nervous system disorders area, and the generic drugs business. For details on Meiji Seika Pharma, see http://www.meiji-seika-pharma.co.jp/english/index.html |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|