Almirall and ASLAN sign a global agreement on a novel treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- LAS186323 comes from Almirall’s successful history of drug-discovery and will be developed by Aslan to the end of Phase II for rheumatoid arthritis
- LAS186323 is a second generation DHODH inhibitor that exhibited no signs of hepatotoxicity or hypertension in laboratory testing, as well as linear pharmacokinetics in a Phase I single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the joints, connective tissues, muscle, tendons, and fibrous tissue and affects approximately 1% of the global population
Barcelona, 24 May 2012.-Almirall announced today that global rights to its own discovery’s DHODH inhibitor, LAS186323, currently in Phase I development for rheumatoid arthritis, have been granted to ASLAN Pharmaceuticals.
Under the agreement, ASLAN will fund and develop LAS186323 to the end of Phase II through a development program conducted in the Asia-Pacific region. Upon achievement of proof of concept, a global partner for Phase III development and commercialization will be identified. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Almirall has a successful history of innovative drug discovery and development and has generated a number of important compounds such as the anti-inflammatory aceclofenac, the anti-allergic ebastine and the anti-migraine almotripan” said Dr Mark McHale, ASLAN’s Chief Scientific Officer. “While there are several therapies available for rheumatoid arthritis today, physicians and patients continue to look for safer, more effective and more accessible therapies.”
“We are very pleased to have a collaboration with ASLAN on Almirall’s early stage asset LAS186323. ASLAN has an experienced team and unique model that can leverage its high quality, innovative and efficient clinical development capabilities to continue generating value on the compound while Almirall focuses on its core R&D strategy” commented Bertil Lindmark, CSO, Executive Director R&D of Almirall.
About LAS186323 LAS186323 is a novel potent and selective inhibitor of the DHODH enzyme that has shown in vitro anti-proliferative activity in several cellular models and good in vivo efficacy following oral administration. LAS186323 is a second generation DHODH inhibitor that exhibited no signs of hepatotoxicity or hypertension in laboratory testing. In a single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers, linear pharmacokinetics have been observed with the absence of adverse effects. ASLAN will continue the clinical development of LAS186323 in rheumatoid arthritis.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic systemic disease that affects the joints, connective tissues, muscle, tendons, and fibrous tissue. It tends to strike during the most productive years of adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 40, and is a chronic disabling condition often causing pain and deformity1.
- The prevalence varies between 0.3% and 1% and is more common in women.
- Within 10 years of onset, at least 50% of patients in developed countries are unable to hold down a full-time job.
About Almirall Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, it researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people’s health and wellbeing. Almirall focuses its research resources on respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatology and pain. Almirall’s products are currently present in over 70 countries in the five continents. It has direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 12 affiliates.
For further information please visit the website at: www.almirall.com
About ASLAN ASLAN Pharmaceuticals is an Asia enabled pharmaceutical company that develops novel medicines for global markets, headquartered in Singapore. ASLAN licenses preclinical and early clinical compounds from global pharmaceutical companies, focusing on oncology, respiratory and inflammation diseases, and uses the high quality and efficient development resources available across Asia to progress the drugs through clinical development. ASLAN will partner with pharmaceutical companies for late phase global development and commercialization.
For more information, please visit www.aslanpharma.com
More information: Ketchum Pleon Sonia San Segundo sonia.sansegundo@ketchumpleon.com Tel.:34 91 788 32 00
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