Cato Research Ltd., a global contract research and development organization, and Advanced Targeting Systems, Inc. (ATS), a privately held biotechnology company, signed a new strategic alliance focused on development and commercialisation of SP-SAP, ATS's lead drug candidate for chronic pain.

Advanced Pain Therapeutics LLC (APT), a new strategic development company formed by Cato Research, ATS, and Cato BioVentures, the venture capital affiliate of Cato Research, obtained exclusive, worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, use, and sell SP-SAP for the treatment of severe chronic pain. Cato Research would provide CRO services to the new company.

SP-SAP is a single-dose, nonopioid, substance P receptor-targeted treatment designed to specifically bind to and eliminate a subset of neurons that send the chronic pain signal to the brain. Preclinical studies in animal models have shown that SP-SAP eliminates chronic pain without disrupting other sensory modalities or motor function and is well tolerated.

"When we partner early, as we have here, we can make a major difference in the overall development of promising drug candidates such as SP-SAP," said Lynda Sutton, COO, Cato Research and CEO, Advanced Pain Therapeutics. "The flexible, broad-based relationships among APT, ATS, and Cato Research position us well to execute our innovative drug development model."

Denise Higgins, vice president, ATS, said, "This arrangement allows for a unique synergy between the companies. "We are enthusiastic about working with APT and Cato Research to help address the under-served chronic pain population. Our preclinical work with SP-SAP makes us very optimistic about the impact this innovative treatment can have for those who are suffering."

Chronic disease states and tissue damage can lead to chronic pain. In particular, terminally ill patients often experience severe, chronic pain due to advancement of disease or unwanted side effects of treatment. Although in many cases, standard treatments, such as opioids, can control pain, there is a significant subset of patients who cannot find relief through standard care. Use of opioids can also be associated with unwanted, severe side-effects. In these cases, sedation or cordotomy may be a patient's only option for pain relief. Hence, severe chronic pain represents a serious, poorly met medical need. SP-SAP offers a novel approach to target a specific set of neurons involved in chronic pain and as such, has the potential to revolutionize the way severe chronic pain is treated.