Neurogen, Pfizer deal

The companies announced a $12.5 million two-year extension of their earlier collaborations to develop GABA neurotransmitter receptor-based compounds to treat anxiety and sleep disorders and enhance cognition. Under the extension, NRGN will receive $6.24 million per year in research payments in 1999 and 2000. The extension also includes depression as a new target indication.

The lead candidate in the anxiety collaboration, NGD 91-2, is being tested in a situational anxiety trial to examine efficacy without sedation and to set dosages for Phase II efficacy trials in patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. ...