Cytokinetics, Astellas add ALS to existing deal

Cytokinetics Inc. (NASDAQ:CYTK) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503) expanded their skeletal muscle activator collaboration to add a focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and extend through 2017 their joint program to research and discover next-generation skeletal muscle compounds.

Cytokinetics granted Astellas an option to license certain territorial rights to tirasemtiv(formerly CK-2017357), a fast skeletal muscle troponin activator that is in the Phase III VITALITY-ALS study to treat ALS. The deal includes tirasemtiv's rights outside North America, Europe and other territories where Cytokinetics will retain rights. ...