Date: 2015-09-15
Type of information: Licensing agreement
Compound: preclinical anti-beta amyloid small molecule product candidate
Company: Aerie Pharmaceuticals (USA - CA) Ramot (Israel)
Therapeutic area: Ophtalmological diseases
Type agreement: R&D licensing
Action mechanism: The proprietary technology was originally developed by a team headed by Prof. Ehud Gazit of the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University. The technology is based on the combination of non-coded α-aminoisobutyric acid and aromatic recognition module to construct a novel chemical entity that is a safe and potent inhibitor of the formation of toxic amyloid assemblies.
Disease: neuroprotection, dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD)
Details: * On September 08, 2015, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for the treatment of patients with glaucoma and other diseases of the eye, and Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., Tel Aviv University\'s technology transfer company, announced a research collaboration and license agreement for a preclinical anti-beta amyloid small molecule product candidate for neuroprotection and dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). The collaboration will focus on evaluating Ramot’s preclinical anti-beta amyloid small molecule product candidate for neuroprotection in glaucoma and for reduction of geographic atrophy in advanced dry AMD. Beta amyloid is elevated in diseased tissues of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma and dry AMD. Neurotoxic amyloid beta molecular complexes, or oligomers, are considered to be a common pathological agent leading to degeneration of neurons and neurosensory cells. Under the terms of the license agreement, Aerie will be responsible for all research and development activities. Ramot will receive development milestone payments from Aerie and will receive royalty payments upon successful commercialization of any products arising from the collaboration. The terms of the agreement provide for a one-year research collaboration and include an exclusive option for Aerie to obtain from Ramot an exclusive license to pursue further development of this preclinical anti-beta amyloid product candidate for all ophthalmic indications, including both front and back of the eye. Initial commitments, including research and execution investments, are not considered material to Aerie’s financial statements at this time.
Financial terms:
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