- Companies to Collaborate on Phase II Development for NV-5138 in Depression
- NV-5138 is a Novel First-in-Class Activator of mTORC1
- Supernus Receives Exclusive Option to License or Acquire NV-5138 Prior to Initiation of Phase III Clinical Program
ROCKVILLE, MD and CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I April 21, 2020 I Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUPN), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, and Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held company leading the discovery and development of mTORC1-targeted therapeutics, announced today a joint development and option agreement for Navitor’s mTORC1 activator, NV-5138.
NV-5138 is a first-in-class, orally active small molecule that directly activates brain mTORC1, the gatekeeper of cellular metabolism and renewal, which is often suppressed in people suffering from depression. Phase I data demonstrated early proof of concept in which a single dose of NV-5138 showed rapid and sustained improvement in core symptoms of depression with favorable safety and tolerability in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Under the terms of the agreement, Supernus and Navitor will jointly conduct a Phase II clinical program for NV-5138 in TRD. Supernus will pay the costs of Phase II development up to $50 million, plus certain costs associated with nonclinical development and formulation. In addition, Navitor has granted Supernus an exclusive option to license or acquire NV-5138 in all world territories, excluding Greater China, prior to initiation of a Phase III clinical program. In exchange for the option to license or acquire NV-5138, Navitor will receive an upfront payment of $25 million, composed of a $10 million option fee and a $15 million equity investment representing approximately 13% ownership in Navitor. Total payments, exclusive of royalty payments on net sales of NV-5138 and development costs under the agreement, have the potential to reach $410 million to $475 million, which includes the upfront payment of $25 million, an additional license or acquisition fee depending on whether Supernus ultimately licenses or acquires NV-5138, and subsequent clinical, regulatory and sales milestone payments. Supernus also will have the first right of refusal for any compound with a similar mechanism of action on mTORC1 as NV-5138 in the central nervous system. In conjunction with the equity investment, Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus, will join the Board of Directors of Navitor.
“We are excited to add NV-5138 to our innovative late-stage portfolio in psychiatry as part of our long-term growth strategy,” said Jack Khattar, President & CEO of Supernus. “Navitor is leveraging a novel mechanism of action to address unmet needs in treatment-resistant depression. NV-5138, an oral agent, can have a highly differentiated clinical profile characterized by a potentially rapid onset of action, and favorable tolerability. We are committed to patients suffering from depression and to bringing to them novel alternative treatment options.”
“As a pharmaceutical company committed to the commercialization of CNS therapeutics with a proven history of successful CNS drug development and registration and a strong financial position, Supernus is an ideal partner to help advance further development of this potentially game-changing treatment for treatment-resistant depression. We are excited to work with the Supernus team to build on the positive data generated to date for NV-5138,” said Thomas E. Hughes, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Navitor. “This transaction also strengthens Navitor’s overall mission to bring forward mTORC-targeted therapies in disease states in which dysregulation of cellular metabolism contributes to pathology, including diseases with substantial unmet need like depression.”
About NV-5138
NV-5138 is an orally bioavailable small molecule that directly and transiently activates mTORC1, the master modulator of cellular metabolism, which is suppressed in the brain of patients suffering from depression. NV-5138 binds to and modulates sestrin, which senses amino acid availability in the brain, a potent natural activator of mTORC1. In a Phase 1 study in treatment-resistant patients, a single dose of NV-5138 produced rapid signals of efficacy on measures of the core symptoms of depression. Preclinical models have demonstrated that oral administration of NV-5138 produces rapid upregulation of key synaptic proteins, synaptic remodeling in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, sustained antidepressant behavioral responses, cognitive improvements and compound-specific spectral power changes, as measured by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). NV-5138 has potential applications in the treatment of depression, cognitive impairments and other neurological indications. Navitor’s strong intellectual property portfolio includes issued composition of matter patent protection for NV-5138 and related compounds.
About mTORC1
Complex 1 of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1), activity governs the pace and ability of the cell to synthesize protein and other cellular components. Increased mTORC1 activity contributes to a broad array of diseases of aging by increasing protein misfolding and driving cellular stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. In other disease states such as severe depression, inadequate mTORC1 activity contributes to disease pathology by limiting energy utilization and protein synthesis, leading to impaired function. Multiple preclinical studies have shown that mTORC1 activation is required for the efficacy of many rapid-acting antidepressant compounds, including but not limited to modulators of the N-methyl-D-aspartic-acid (NMDA)-mediated signaling pathway like ketamine.
About Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The Company currently markets Trokendi XR® (extended-release topiramate) for the prophylaxis of migraine and the treatment of epilepsy, and Oxtellar XR® (extended-release oxcarbazepine) for the treatment of epilepsy. The Company is also developing several product candidates to address large market opportunities in the CNS market.
About Navitor
Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the leader in the development of mTORC1-targeted therapeutics designed to help patients live longer and healthier lives. The Company’s proprietary platform enables specific modulation of mTORC1, the gatekeeper of cellular metabolism and renewal, with the first-ever absolutely selective mTORC1 inhibition and the unique ability for mTORC1 activation. Navitor’s lead clinical-stage candidate, NV-5138, is a small molecule that directly activates mTORC1 that is being developed for treatment-resistant depression, with additional opportunities in cognition and memory. The Company’s NΛValog program, which provides unprecedented selectivity in mTORC1 inhibition, is initially targeting chronic kidney disease and has broad potential application for age-related diseases..
SOURCE: Supernus Pharmaceuticals
Post Views: 167
- Companies to Collaborate on Phase II Development for NV-5138 in Depression
- NV-5138 is a Novel First-in-Class Activator of mTORC1
- Supernus Receives Exclusive Option to License or Acquire NV-5138 Prior to Initiation of Phase III Clinical Program
ROCKVILLE, MD and CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I April 21, 2020 I Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUPN), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, and Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held company leading the discovery and development of mTORC1-targeted therapeutics, announced today a joint development and option agreement for Navitor’s mTORC1 activator, NV-5138.
NV-5138 is a first-in-class, orally active small molecule that directly activates brain mTORC1, the gatekeeper of cellular metabolism and renewal, which is often suppressed in people suffering from depression. Phase I data demonstrated early proof of concept in which a single dose of NV-5138 showed rapid and sustained improvement in core symptoms of depression with favorable safety and tolerability in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Under the terms of the agreement, Supernus and Navitor will jointly conduct a Phase II clinical program for NV-5138 in TRD. Supernus will pay the costs of Phase II development up to $50 million, plus certain costs associated with nonclinical development and formulation. In addition, Navitor has granted Supernus an exclusive option to license or acquire NV-5138 in all world territories, excluding Greater China, prior to initiation of a Phase III clinical program. In exchange for the option to license or acquire NV-5138, Navitor will receive an upfront payment of $25 million, composed of a $10 million option fee and a $15 million equity investment representing approximately 13% ownership in Navitor. Total payments, exclusive of royalty payments on net sales of NV-5138 and development costs under the agreement, have the potential to reach $410 million to $475 million, which includes the upfront payment of $25 million, an additional license or acquisition fee depending on whether Supernus ultimately licenses or acquires NV-5138, and subsequent clinical, regulatory and sales milestone payments. Supernus also will have the first right of refusal for any compound with a similar mechanism of action on mTORC1 as NV-5138 in the central nervous system. In conjunction with the equity investment, Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus, will join the Board of Directors of Navitor.
“We are excited to add NV-5138 to our innovative late-stage portfolio in psychiatry as part of our long-term growth strategy,” said Jack Khattar, President & CEO of Supernus. “Navitor is leveraging a novel mechanism of action to address unmet needs in treatment-resistant depression. NV-5138, an oral agent, can have a highly differentiated clinical profile characterized by a potentially rapid onset of action, and favorable tolerability. We are committed to patients suffering from depression and to bringing to them novel alternative treatment options.”
“As a pharmaceutical company committed to the commercialization of CNS therapeutics with a proven history of successful CNS drug development and registration and a strong financial position, Supernus is an ideal partner to help advance further development of this potentially game-changing treatment for treatment-resistant depression. We are excited to work with the Supernus team to build on the positive data generated to date for NV-5138,” said Thomas E. Hughes, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Navitor. “This transaction also strengthens Navitor’s overall mission to bring forward mTORC-targeted therapies in disease states in which dysregulation of cellular metabolism contributes to pathology, including diseases with substantial unmet need like depression.”
About NV-5138
NV-5138 is an orally bioavailable small molecule that directly and transiently activates mTORC1, the master modulator of cellular metabolism, which is suppressed in the brain of patients suffering from depression. NV-5138 binds to and modulates sestrin, which senses amino acid availability in the brain, a potent natural activator of mTORC1. In a Phase 1 study in treatment-resistant patients, a single dose of NV-5138 produced rapid signals of efficacy on measures of the core symptoms of depression. Preclinical models have demonstrated that oral administration of NV-5138 produces rapid upregulation of key synaptic proteins, synaptic remodeling in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, sustained antidepressant behavioral responses, cognitive improvements and compound-specific spectral power changes, as measured by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). NV-5138 has potential applications in the treatment of depression, cognitive impairments and other neurological indications. Navitor’s strong intellectual property portfolio includes issued composition of matter patent protection for NV-5138 and related compounds.
About mTORC1
Complex 1 of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1), activity governs the pace and ability of the cell to synthesize protein and other cellular components. Increased mTORC1 activity contributes to a broad array of diseases of aging by increasing protein misfolding and driving cellular stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. In other disease states such as severe depression, inadequate mTORC1 activity contributes to disease pathology by limiting energy utilization and protein synthesis, leading to impaired function. Multiple preclinical studies have shown that mTORC1 activation is required for the efficacy of many rapid-acting antidepressant compounds, including but not limited to modulators of the N-methyl-D-aspartic-acid (NMDA)-mediated signaling pathway like ketamine.
About Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The Company currently markets Trokendi XR® (extended-release topiramate) for the prophylaxis of migraine and the treatment of epilepsy, and Oxtellar XR® (extended-release oxcarbazepine) for the treatment of epilepsy. The Company is also developing several product candidates to address large market opportunities in the CNS market.
About Navitor
Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the leader in the development of mTORC1-targeted therapeutics designed to help patients live longer and healthier lives. The Company’s proprietary platform enables specific modulation of mTORC1, the gatekeeper of cellular metabolism and renewal, with the first-ever absolutely selective mTORC1 inhibition and the unique ability for mTORC1 activation. Navitor’s lead clinical-stage candidate, NV-5138, is a small molecule that directly activates mTORC1 that is being developed for treatment-resistant depression, with additional opportunities in cognition and memory. The Company’s NΛValog program, which provides unprecedented selectivity in mTORC1 inhibition, is initially targeting chronic kidney disease and has broad potential application for age-related diseases..
SOURCE: Supernus Pharmaceuticals
Post Views: 167
