Debiopharm Group and Mercury Therapeutics Sign Development and Commercialization of Debio 0930
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Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm) and Mercury Therapeutics, Inc. (Mercury) have announce the signature of an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of Debio 0930, a small molecule activator of AMPK (adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase) for the treatment of diabetes and metabolic diseases.
Activation of AMPK has been shown to lower fasting blood glucose levels and improve glucose disposal following a glucose challenge, two key goals in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Under the terms of the agreement, Debiopharm shall pay Mercury for continued research and development support, predefined advanced milestone payments during the development of the compound and a royalty based on net sales of commercialized product. First entry into man is expected for 2012.
“We are very enthusiastic about our collaboration with an experienced innovative biotech company like Mercury. Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality by disease globally and we are determined to improve the quality of patient’s lives by developing a new therapy,” said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and Founder of Debiopharm Group.”
“This alliance with Debiopharm represents important validation of Mercury’s technology and of the growing appreciation of AMPK as a novel drug target for metabolic diseases. The development of an orally available direct activator of AMPK has the potential to be a first-in-class therapeutic for type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a number of indications in oncology,” added Dr. Neal Birnberg, CEO of Mercury, who was advised on this transaction by Katan Associates.
Activation of AMPK has been shown to lower fasting blood glucose levels and improve glucose disposal following a glucose challenge, two key goals in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Under the terms of the agreement, Debiopharm shall pay Mercury for continued research and development support, predefined advanced milestone payments during the development of the compound and a royalty based on net sales of commercialized product. First entry into man is expected for 2012.
“We are very enthusiastic about our collaboration with an experienced innovative biotech company like Mercury. Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality by disease globally and we are determined to improve the quality of patient’s lives by developing a new therapy,” said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and Founder of Debiopharm Group.”
“This alliance with Debiopharm represents important validation of Mercury’s technology and of the growing appreciation of AMPK as a novel drug target for metabolic diseases. The development of an orally available direct activator of AMPK has the potential to be a first-in-class therapeutic for type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a number of indications in oncology,” added Dr. Neal Birnberg, CEO of Mercury, who was advised on this transaction by Katan Associates.
