Organon, the human pharmaceutical business of Akzo Nobel, and Cypress Bioscience Inc have joined forces to attempt to develop and commercialize the first novel pharmacological treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will combine their expertise in an effort to develop a safe and effective treatment for OSA.

The collaborative programme (currently in Phase IIa) will involve Org 4419 and combinations of mirtazapine with another approved drug to potentially augment efficacy and improve tolerability, with Organon and Cypress jointly selecting the best development candidate based upon various proof of concept trials performed independently by both companies. The companies will also share costs and final responsibility for clinical development activities, an Organon release stated.

David Nicholson, Organon executive vice president of Global Research says, “By combining forces with Cypress, we believe we have increased the chances of developing the first innovative pharmacological treatment for OSA. This further enhances our effort in the treatment of sleeping disorders; an additional project is in phase II for insomnia.”

Initially, development costs will be shared equally between Cypress and Organon. In the USA, Canada and Mexico (NAFTA), the companies will co-commercialize successful candidates. Cypress will have the right to set up its own sales force responsible for 25 percent of the total detailing and promotional efforts in the NAFTA countries. Organon will be solely responsible for commercialization in the rest of the world and will pay Cypress a royalty on net sales. Organon will also have principal responsibility for the manufacturing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products resulting from the collaboration, while Cypress will take the operational lead regarding clinical development activities.

A common breathing disorder which affects 15 to 20 million people in the USA and another 10 to 20 million in Europe, OSA—a condition which is not currently treatable with an approved drug—is characterized by brief interruptions in breathing during sleep, typically caused by a collapse of the upper airway.