Servier Receives Exclusive Option to Enter Into Worldwide, Ex-U.S., Research Collaboration and License for Celladon’s Novel Small Molecule SERCA2b Modulators for the Treatment of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA I February 24, 2014 I Celladon Corporation (Nasdaq:CLDN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies by applying its leadership position in the field of SERCA enzymes, today announced that Celladon and Servier have entered into an option agreement for a potential worldwide ex-U.S. research collaboration and license agreement for the discovery and development of novel SERCA2b modulators for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. The collaboration would leverage Celladon’s novel compounds, proprietary assays, and screening technology for isolation of small molecule modulators of SERCA enzymes.
Under the terms of the agreement, Celladon granted Servier an exclusive option to license the worldwide, ex-U.S., rights to the small molecule program in the field of diabetes and other metabolic disorders for a certain period. Servier’s decision to exercise its option will be based upon the outcome of a series of pre-defined in vitro and in vivo studies to be performed by the parties. In the event Servier exercises its option, Celladon would receive certain upfront, research support and milestone payments, as well as royalties on sales. Celladon and Servier would jointly support the discovery effort, while Servier would be primarily responsible for all costs associated in and for its territory with a global development plan, as well as ex-U.S. regulatory approval and commercialization of any compound selected as a lead candidate. Celladon would retain all U.S. rights to any compounds and lead candidates developed through this collaboration and license agreement.
About Celladon’s Small Molecule Program targeting SERCA2b enzymes
The focus of our small molecule research program relates to the SERCA2b isoform of SERCA enzymes. Specifically, these enzymes control calcium movement in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in all human cells. SERCA2b enzyme levels become deficient when cells are stressed, and accumulate unfolded proteins in the ER, known as ER stress. There has been a proliferation of publications in scientific medical literature supporting the important role of ER stress in many diseases and conditions, including heart failure, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. We believe we are the industry leader in isolating small molecule modulators of the SERCA2b enzyme, which can correct underlying calcium dysregulation and ER stress. Our proprietary, novel, first-in-class, compounds have demonstrated activity in multiple preclinical models of diseases and conditions.
About Celladon
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company applying our leadership position in the field of calcium dysregulation by targeting SERCA enzymes to develop novel therapies for diseases with tremendous unmet medical needs. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, or SERCA, enzymes are a family of enzymes that play an integral part in the regulation of intra-cellular calcium in all human cells. Calcium dysregulation is implicated in a number of important and complex medical conditions and diseases, such as heart failure, which is a clinical syndrome characterized by poor heart function, resulting in inadequate blood flow to meet the body’s metabolic needs, as well as diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Our therapeutic portfolio for diseases characterized by SERCA enzyme deficiency includes both gene therapies and small molecule compounds. MYDICAR, our most advanced product candidate, uses gene therapy to target SERCA2a, which is an enzyme that becomes deficient in patients with heart failure. In addition, we have identified a number of potential first-in-class compounds addressing novel targets in diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases with our small molecule platform of SERCA2b modulators.
About Servier
Founded in 1954, Servier is the first independent French pharmaceutical research company. Its development is based on relentless pursuit of innovation in the following therapeutic areas: cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neurologic diseases, psychiatric diseases, rheumatic diseases, and oncology.
In 2013, the company reported revenue of €4.2 billion. 92% of Servier medicines are prescribed internationally. At least 25% of revenue from Servier drugs is reinvested in R&D every year. Servier has a strong international presence in 140 countries and employs more than 21,000 people worldwide. The Servier Group contributed 35% to the 2013 French trade surplus in the pharmaceutical sector.
SOURCE: Celladon
Post Views: 72
Servier Receives Exclusive Option to Enter Into Worldwide, Ex-U.S., Research Collaboration and License for Celladon’s Novel Small Molecule SERCA2b Modulators for the Treatment of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA I February 24, 2014 I Celladon Corporation (Nasdaq:CLDN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies by applying its leadership position in the field of SERCA enzymes, today announced that Celladon and Servier have entered into an option agreement for a potential worldwide ex-U.S. research collaboration and license agreement for the discovery and development of novel SERCA2b modulators for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. The collaboration would leverage Celladon’s novel compounds, proprietary assays, and screening technology for isolation of small molecule modulators of SERCA enzymes.
Under the terms of the agreement, Celladon granted Servier an exclusive option to license the worldwide, ex-U.S., rights to the small molecule program in the field of diabetes and other metabolic disorders for a certain period. Servier’s decision to exercise its option will be based upon the outcome of a series of pre-defined in vitro and in vivo studies to be performed by the parties. In the event Servier exercises its option, Celladon would receive certain upfront, research support and milestone payments, as well as royalties on sales. Celladon and Servier would jointly support the discovery effort, while Servier would be primarily responsible for all costs associated in and for its territory with a global development plan, as well as ex-U.S. regulatory approval and commercialization of any compound selected as a lead candidate. Celladon would retain all U.S. rights to any compounds and lead candidates developed through this collaboration and license agreement.
About Celladon’s Small Molecule Program targeting SERCA2b enzymes
The focus of our small molecule research program relates to the SERCA2b isoform of SERCA enzymes. Specifically, these enzymes control calcium movement in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in all human cells. SERCA2b enzyme levels become deficient when cells are stressed, and accumulate unfolded proteins in the ER, known as ER stress. There has been a proliferation of publications in scientific medical literature supporting the important role of ER stress in many diseases and conditions, including heart failure, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. We believe we are the industry leader in isolating small molecule modulators of the SERCA2b enzyme, which can correct underlying calcium dysregulation and ER stress. Our proprietary, novel, first-in-class, compounds have demonstrated activity in multiple preclinical models of diseases and conditions.
About Celladon
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company applying our leadership position in the field of calcium dysregulation by targeting SERCA enzymes to develop novel therapies for diseases with tremendous unmet medical needs. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, or SERCA, enzymes are a family of enzymes that play an integral part in the regulation of intra-cellular calcium in all human cells. Calcium dysregulation is implicated in a number of important and complex medical conditions and diseases, such as heart failure, which is a clinical syndrome characterized by poor heart function, resulting in inadequate blood flow to meet the body’s metabolic needs, as well as diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Our therapeutic portfolio for diseases characterized by SERCA enzyme deficiency includes both gene therapies and small molecule compounds. MYDICAR, our most advanced product candidate, uses gene therapy to target SERCA2a, which is an enzyme that becomes deficient in patients with heart failure. In addition, we have identified a number of potential first-in-class compounds addressing novel targets in diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases with our small molecule platform of SERCA2b modulators.
About Servier
Founded in 1954, Servier is the first independent French pharmaceutical research company. Its development is based on relentless pursuit of innovation in the following therapeutic areas: cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neurologic diseases, psychiatric diseases, rheumatic diseases, and oncology.
In 2013, the company reported revenue of €4.2 billion. 92% of Servier medicines are prescribed internationally. At least 25% of revenue from Servier drugs is reinvested in R&D every year. Servier has a strong international presence in 140 countries and employs more than 21,000 people worldwide. The Servier Group contributed 35% to the 2013 French trade surplus in the pharmaceutical sector.
SOURCE: Celladon
Post Views: 72
