Catalyst Biosciences, Attenua deal
Catalyst will sell TC-5619, TC-6987 and TC-6683 (AZD1446) to Attenua for $1 million up front and for up to $105 million in milestones, plus royalties. Catalyst gained the products when it merged with Targacept Inc. last year.
Targacept discontinued development of TC-5619, a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 (CHRNA7) agonist, after it missed the primary endpoint in a Phase IIb trial to treat schizophrenia and missed the primary endpoint in a Phase II trial to treat ADHD. Targacept also discontinued development of TC-6987, a CHRNA7 modulator, when it met one of two co-primary endpoints in a Phase II trial to treat asthma and missed the primary endpoint in a Phase II trial to treat Type II diabetes. Under a 2013 deal, Targacept granted AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN, London, U.K.) rights to develop and commercialize TC-6683, a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha(4)beta(2) agonist, but the pharma discontinued development of the product to treat AD. ...