Merck Serono & Newron to Broaden Collaboration on New Therapies
Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA,
Under the terms of the agreement, Newron will receive a development license for two Merck clinical-stage compounds, pruvanserin and sarizotan. Merck will retain buy-back options for each compound upon completion of proof-of-concept trials. Should these options be exercised by Merck, Newron will have a co-development option. No further financial terms are disclosed.
Pruvanserin and sarizotan are highly selective compounds for specific serotonin or dopamine receptors and modulate the activity of these neurotransmitters in the brain. Both compounds exhibit pharmacological properties and have clinical data that support further evaluation and development. Newron will assess the potential of these compounds in additional preclinical experiments prior to initiating proof-of-concept studies in CNS diseases.
“We are very pleased to continue building our relationship with Newron,” said Dr. Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice President for Global Research and Development at Merck Serono. “We believe this expanded collaboration will leverage Newron’s strong expertise in the early stage development of compounds targeting CNS indications.”
“This agreement is an excellent opportunity for Newron to expand its development pipeline with innovative compounds within Newron’s field of expertise, added Dr. Ravi Anand, Newron’s Chief Medical Officer.
Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for diseases of the CNS and pain. Phase III trials of safinamide are currently ongoing for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. As per the agreement signed with Newron in 2006, Merck Serono, has exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the compound in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other therapeutic applications. Newron is currently evaluating the further clinical development of ralfinamide for pain and psychiatric diseases.
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