Aniona, NeuroSearch, J&J deal

NeuroSearch transferred to Aniona rights and obligations under a 2009 deal with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. subsidiary to discover and develop therapies for CNS diseases. The R&D deal expires August 2013. Last year, employees from NeuroSearch's NsDiscovery research division founded Aniona to continue R&D activities in CNS diseases from the division. As part of the transfer, NeuroSearch will grant Aniona a €340,000 ($427,585) loan to cover operations. NeuroSearch is eligible to receive part of future option payments Aniona may receive if Janssen exercises options under the deal. NeuroSearch holds no ownership in Aniona (see BioCentury, Aug. 24, 2009 & Dec. 19, 2011).

NeuroSearch also transferred to Aniona rights to Phase I compounds NSD-788 and NSD-721, as well several CNS projects, including preclinical and early stage ion channel programs with small molecule modulators that target neuronal nicotinic receptors, calcium activated potassium channels and other undisclosed targets. NSD-788 is a monoamine reuptake inhibitor in development for depression/anxiety. NSD-721 is a selective GABA modulator in development for social anxiety disorder. NSD-788 and NSD-721 remain partnered with GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK, London, U.K.) under a 2003 CNS R&D deal. NeuroSearch is eligible for tiered royalties related to NSD-788 and NSD-721 and a "modest" one-off payment at the start of clinical testing for one of the preclinical or early research projects (see BioCentury, Dec. 22, 2003). ...