Agreements

Date: 2017-12-18

Type of information: Research agreement

Compound:

Company: Autifony Therapeutics (UK) Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany)

Therapeutic area: CNS diseases - Otorhinolaryngology - Psychiatric diseases - Rare diseases

Type agreement:

Action mechanism:

Disease: schizophrenia, hearing disorders, orphan CNS disorders including fragile X syndrome

Details:

• On December 18, 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim and Autifony Therapeutics announced that they have signed an agreement about certain aspects of Autifony’s voltage gated potassium channel modulator platform. Boehringer Ingelheim now has an exclusive option to purchase Autifony’s Kv3.1/3.2 positive modulator platform. Included in the agreement is the lead compound AUT00206, a novel, orally active small molecule that is currently being evaluated in two Phase Ib studies, including one in patients with schizophrenia. Preclinical studies using models relevant to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia suggest that AUT00206 has the potential to treat cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as positive symptoms with fewer side effects than current anti-psychotic drugs. Cognitive and negative symptoms are poorly treated by antipsychotic drugs and are associated with significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life for patients.
In addition to schizophrenia, both Autifony and Boehringer Ingelheim have a strong interest to explore the Kv3.1/3.2 mechanism for other indications, including hearing disorders and orphan CNS disorders, such as Fragile X Syndrome.

Financial terms:

Boehringer Ingelheim will pay Autifony a €25 million upfront fee, with the possibility of further payments of up to €17.5 million during the option period based on achievement of short term milestones. The total potential transaction may sum up to €627.5 million upon reaching development and pre-commercialisation milestones once Boehringer Ingelheim has exercised its option. Further financial details were not disclosed.

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