AstraZeneca takes option on new diabetes candidates
pharmafile | December 21, 2011 | News story | Sales and Marketing | AstraZeneca, diabetes
AstraZeneca and Prosidion, a subsidiary of Astellas have signed a deal giving AstraZeneca an exclusive option to acquire two diabetes treatments currently in phase II.
PSN821 and PSN842 are orally administered G protein-coupled receptor GPR119 agonists, a potential new class of medicines for diabetes.
PSN821 is currently in a Phase-II clinical trial for the treatment of type II diabetes. It has been shown in pre-clinical disease models to substantially lower blood glucose, reduce food intake and body weight and therefore has the potential to be a valued addition to the future treatments for type II diabetes. PSN842 is currently poised to enter clinical trials to treat type II diabetes.
AstraZeneca will pay Prosidion an undisclosed, non-refundable option fee, and will await results of the phase-IIa clinical trial of PSN821 and the evaluation of pre-clinical work. If AstraZeneca exercises its option, it would acquire the assets from Prosidion and would pay an undisclosed, pre-specified upfront payment and milestone payments.
Gunnar Olsson, VP and head, Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal Innovative Medicines Unit, AstraZeneca stated: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to drive further development of these diabetes projects which are strategically aligned with our therapy area. We look forward to the successful development of this new class to deliver a differentiated, important new medicine for patients with diabetes, a disease that continues to grow globally.”
Yoshihiko Hatanaka, president and chief executive, from Astellas, commented on the deal: “Astellas has conducted an extensive review of strategic alternatives with regard to Prosidion. We are delighted to have found such an experienced partner for these assets. AstraZeneca has a strong track record in the commercialisation and launch of products in competitive primary care markets.”
AstraZeneca is aiming to maintain its profile as a leading primary care pharma company, but must find successors to Nexium and Crestor, which are nearing their patent expiry.
AstraZeneca co-developed and co-markets Ongylza, a new diabetes treatment co-marketed with BMS, which was launched in October 2009.
But another novel diabetes drug co-developed with BMS, dapagliflozin, is being held up by regulators because of safety concerns.
Andrew McConaghie
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