UCB and Synosia Therapeutics sign strategic alliance in neurology

Synosia grants UCB exclusive worldwide rights to an adenosine A2a antagonist (SYN-115) and rights to a second compound (SYN-118), both for patients living with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease

12-Oct-2010 - Belgium

UCB and Synosia Therapeutics announced a new strategic partnership in neurology. Synosia has granted UCB a license for exclusive, worldwide rights to the development compound SYN-115 and rights to a second compound, SYN-118, for non-orphan indications. Both are in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Under the agreement, UCB will make an equity investment totalling USD 20 million as part of a Series C funding in Synosia. Synosia will also receive an undisclosed upfront payment and could receive potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to a total of USD 725 million across both compounds. Reflecting the strategic nature of the alliance, two representatives of UCB will join Synosia’s Board of Directors.

Synosia will be responsible for SYN-115 and SYN-118 through Phase II clinical development. UCB will be responsible for Phase III clinical development and commercialisation. The agreement also allows for additional compounds from either company’s pipeline to be brought into the collaboration on terms to be negotiated. As with SYN-115 and SYN-118, Synosia will be responsible for the development of any additional molecules up to the end of Phase II. UCB will be responsible for subsequent development and commercialisation.

SYN-115 is an orally-bioavailable adenosine 2A (A2a) antagonist, which enters the brain and activates regions with motor and non-motor function. Synosia obtained rights to SYN-115 from Roche in 2007 and has rights to development in all indications.

SYN-118 is a 4 hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, which is marketed as Orfadin® in the non-competing indication of hereditary tyrosinemia by Swedish Orphan. Synosia obtained rights from Syngenta for the clinical development and commercialisation of SYN-118 in all non-orphan indications.

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