AstraZeneca, Vanderbilt in discovery deal

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) partnered with Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.) to discover and develop positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 ( CHRM4; HM4) to treat psychosis and other neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with major brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Under the deal, Vanderbilt and AstraZeneca will collaborate to identify additional compounds and to further develop existing preclinical compounds, which were developed by the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. Vanderbilt will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and two-year research funding from the pharma. The university is also eligible for undisclosed milestones, plus royalties. ...