Neurocrine's growing partnership model

Neurocrine's growing partnership model Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co. today were to announce a collaboration to discover and develop corticotropin releasing factor-binding protein ligand inhibitors to treat two central nervous system disorders: obesity and dementia such as that associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The agreement could be worth up to $74 million to NBIX (San Diego, Calif.). The deal includes $22 million in initial fees and committed R&D funding. In addition, NBIX could receive milestone payments of about $52 million, plus royalties on product sales outside the U.S. In the U.S., NBIX has the option to receive co-promotion rights and share profits, or to opt for royalties...