Baergic Bio, a Fortress partner company, enters into an agreement with AstraZeneca for AZD7325, a novel α2/3–subtype-selective GABA A positive allosteric modulator
NEW YORK, NY, USA I December 23, 2019 I Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO) (“Fortress”) today announced that Baergic Bio, Inc. (“Baergic”), a newly formed Fortress partner company, has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with AstraZeneca for AZD7325, a novel α2/3–subtype-selective GABA A positive allosteric modulator (“PAM”), as well as an agreement with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (“Cincinnati Children’s”) to advance clinical development in select central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders. As part of Baergic’s formation, AstraZeneca will provide exclusive worldwide rights to AZD7325, now known as BAER-101, including clinical data generated to date, and will have an equity position in Baergic.
BAER-101 will continue to be evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical settings in areas of unmet need where a selective GABA A PAM has shown evidence to be an impactful therapeutic. By specifically targeting α2/3–subtypes, BAER-101 may minimize adverse events that are typically seen with benzodiazepines, which engage α1. Among these adverse events is a significant sedative liability, which makes benzodiazepines not well suited for chronic use. BAER-101’s unique selectivity will give Baergic the ability to explore its use in a number of CNS disorders where patients are not adequately treated.
Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are thrilled to be working with AstraZeneca and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to develop BAER-101. There are several CNS disorders where a selective GABA A PAM has the potential to improve the care of patients. We look forward to exploring the indications for which BAER-101 is most suitable and efficiently advancing the development of this novel therapy.”
About BAER-101
BAER-101 is a high affinity, selective modulator of the GABA A receptor system, with differential binding and modulatory properties dependent on the particular GABA A subtype. For more information, visit https://openinnovation.astrazeneca.com/azd7325.html.
About Baergic Bio
Baergic Bio, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of CNS disorders. Baergic Bio’s lead asset, BAER-101, is currently being explored in clinical and pre-clinical settings in areas of unmet need. Baergic Bio is located in New York City and was founded by Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO).
About Fortress Biotech
Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”) is an innovative biopharmaceutical company that was recently ranked number 10 in Deloitte’s 2019 Technology Fast 500™, an annual ranking of the fastest-growing North American companies in the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech sectors, based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth over a three-year period. Fortress is focused on identifying, in-licensing and developing high-potential marketed and development-stage drugs and drug candidates. The company has five marketed prescription pharmaceutical products and over 25 programs in development at Fortress, at its majority-owned and majority-controlled partners and at partners it founded and in which it holds significant minority ownership positions. Such product candidates span six large-market therapeutic areas, including oncology, rare diseases and gene therapy, which allow it to create value while mitigating risk for shareholders. Fortress advances its diversified pipeline through a streamlined operating structure that fosters efficient drug development. The Fortress model is driven by a world-class business development team that is focused on leveraging its significant biopharmaceutical industry expertise to further expand the company’s portfolio of product opportunities. Fortress has established partnerships with some of the world’s leading academic research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to maximize each opportunity to its full potential, including Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., City of Hope, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a subsidiary of Cipla Limited) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com.
SOURCE: Fortress Biotech
Post Views: 73
Baergic Bio, a Fortress partner company, enters into an agreement with AstraZeneca for AZD7325, a novel α2/3–subtype-selective GABA A positive allosteric modulator
NEW YORK, NY, USA I December 23, 2019 I Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO) (“Fortress”) today announced that Baergic Bio, Inc. (“Baergic”), a newly formed Fortress partner company, has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with AstraZeneca for AZD7325, a novel α2/3–subtype-selective GABA A positive allosteric modulator (“PAM”), as well as an agreement with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (“Cincinnati Children’s”) to advance clinical development in select central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders. As part of Baergic’s formation, AstraZeneca will provide exclusive worldwide rights to AZD7325, now known as BAER-101, including clinical data generated to date, and will have an equity position in Baergic.
BAER-101 will continue to be evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical settings in areas of unmet need where a selective GABA A PAM has shown evidence to be an impactful therapeutic. By specifically targeting α2/3–subtypes, BAER-101 may minimize adverse events that are typically seen with benzodiazepines, which engage α1. Among these adverse events is a significant sedative liability, which makes benzodiazepines not well suited for chronic use. BAER-101’s unique selectivity will give Baergic the ability to explore its use in a number of CNS disorders where patients are not adequately treated.
Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are thrilled to be working with AstraZeneca and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to develop BAER-101. There are several CNS disorders where a selective GABA A PAM has the potential to improve the care of patients. We look forward to exploring the indications for which BAER-101 is most suitable and efficiently advancing the development of this novel therapy.”
About BAER-101
BAER-101 is a high affinity, selective modulator of the GABA A receptor system, with differential binding and modulatory properties dependent on the particular GABA A subtype. For more information, visit https://openinnovation.astrazeneca.com/azd7325.html.
About Baergic Bio
Baergic Bio, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of CNS disorders. Baergic Bio’s lead asset, BAER-101, is currently being explored in clinical and pre-clinical settings in areas of unmet need. Baergic Bio is located in New York City and was founded by Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO).
About Fortress Biotech
Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”) is an innovative biopharmaceutical company that was recently ranked number 10 in Deloitte’s 2019 Technology Fast 500™, an annual ranking of the fastest-growing North American companies in the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech sectors, based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth over a three-year period. Fortress is focused on identifying, in-licensing and developing high-potential marketed and development-stage drugs and drug candidates. The company has five marketed prescription pharmaceutical products and over 25 programs in development at Fortress, at its majority-owned and majority-controlled partners and at partners it founded and in which it holds significant minority ownership positions. Such product candidates span six large-market therapeutic areas, including oncology, rare diseases and gene therapy, which allow it to create value while mitigating risk for shareholders. Fortress advances its diversified pipeline through a streamlined operating structure that fosters efficient drug development. The Fortress model is driven by a world-class business development team that is focused on leveraging its significant biopharmaceutical industry expertise to further expand the company’s portfolio of product opportunities. Fortress has established partnerships with some of the world’s leading academic research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to maximize each opportunity to its full potential, including Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., City of Hope, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a subsidiary of Cipla Limited) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com.
SOURCE: Fortress Biotech
Post Views: 73
