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VIA Pharmaceuticals Licenses Drug Candidates from Roche to Expand Cardiovascular Pipeline
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VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced exclusive, worldwide licensing agreements with Roche for two sets of compounds.
The first was for Roche's thyroid hormone receptor (THR) beta agonist, a clinically ready candidate for the control of cholesterol, triglyceride levels and potential in insulin sensitization/diabetes. The second was for multiple compounds from Roche's preclinical diacylglycerol acyl transferase 1 (DGAT1) metabolic disorders program.
Under the terms of the agreements, VIA will assume control of all development and commercialization of the compounds, and will own exclusive worldwide rights for all potential indications. The agreements provide for milestone payments for development and royalties upon commercialization.
"We are pleased to significantly expand our pipeline of promising compounds with the in-licensing of these two programs. The THR beta agonist candidate and the DGAT1 program are natural fits for VIA, and build on the company's cardiovascular inflammation programs," said Lawrence K. Cohen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of VIA Pharmaceuticals.
"We believe that these compounds address other critical underlying causes of cardiovascular disease: hyperlipidemias and metabolic disorders including diabetes. In addition, Dr. Rebecca Taub, our senior vice president of research and development, has significant experience in heading up development programs in metabolic diseases, and previously oversaw both the THR beta agonist and DGAT1 programs at Roche. We look forward to moving the THR beta agonist into clinical development," Cohen said.
The first was for Roche's thyroid hormone receptor (THR) beta agonist, a clinically ready candidate for the control of cholesterol, triglyceride levels and potential in insulin sensitization/diabetes. The second was for multiple compounds from Roche's preclinical diacylglycerol acyl transferase 1 (DGAT1) metabolic disorders program.
Under the terms of the agreements, VIA will assume control of all development and commercialization of the compounds, and will own exclusive worldwide rights for all potential indications. The agreements provide for milestone payments for development and royalties upon commercialization.
"We are pleased to significantly expand our pipeline of promising compounds with the in-licensing of these two programs. The THR beta agonist candidate and the DGAT1 program are natural fits for VIA, and build on the company's cardiovascular inflammation programs," said Lawrence K. Cohen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of VIA Pharmaceuticals.
"We believe that these compounds address other critical underlying causes of cardiovascular disease: hyperlipidemias and metabolic disorders including diabetes. In addition, Dr. Rebecca Taub, our senior vice president of research and development, has significant experience in heading up development programs in metabolic diseases, and previously oversaw both the THR beta agonist and DGAT1 programs at Roche. We look forward to moving the THR beta agonist into clinical development," Cohen said.
