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Replies to post #95105 on Biotech Values
05/03/10 3:45 AM
06/19/12 12:58 PM
The mechanism that has perhaps shown the most promise, at least in mice, is to damp signaling in the brain by blocking a receptor called mGluR5. Novartis is considered ahead in developing such a drug [#msg-49693637]. Roche is next, having entered the midstage of clinical trials. Seaside is further back [#msg-49695052] but has patents covering the use of mGluR5 antagonists to treat neurodevelopmental disorders.
Under the deal, Roche will get exclusive rights to those patents from Seaside. That might provide some leverage that Roche can use against Novartis, although Dr. Santarelli said Roche had no intention of keeping a rival’s drug off the market.
Roche also gets the option to license commercial rights to Seaside’s arbaclofen. That drug, which works somewhat differently, is in late-stage testing for fragile X and in midstage testing for autism.
Roche will provide money to help Seaside complete its clinical trials of arbaclofen. Seaside will halt development of its own mGluR5 antagonist, which it licensed from Merck, and will instead receive royalties on sales of Roche’s drug.
The alliance could pose a challenge to Novartis. “This is No. 2 and No. 3 ganging up on No. 1,” said Dr. Michael Tranfaglia, medical director of the Fraxa Research Foundation…
09/13/14 12:37 PM
A long, rough patch in Fragile X syndrome drug R&D just got longer and rougher. Roche has notified patient groups that both of its mid-stage studies for RG7090--an mGluR5 therapy--failed to hit the primary and secondary goals, prompting the pharma giant to shut down the program.
