Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp. would collect $6 million from Roche as the Swiss drug maker has exercised its option to further develop and commercialise Memory Pharmaceuticals' lead nicotinic alpha-7 agonist drug candidate, MEM 3454, for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Roche's exercise of its option for MEM 3454 triggers a $6 million milestone payment and entitles Memory Pharmaceuticals to future payments upon the achievement of additional milestones and royalties on product sales, including a $17 million milestone payment upon the completion of the ongoing phase IIa study in cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). In addition, Memory Pharmaceuticals retains an option to co-promote MEM 3454 in the United States.
"We are excited that Roche shares our enthusiasm for MEM 3454 and its potential to address the cognitive deficits associated with debilitating CNS disorders," stated Vaughn M Kailian, president and chief executive officer, Memory Pharmaceuticals. "We have aggressively advanced MEM 3454 through early-stage clinical trials, including a positive phase IIa trial in Alzheimer's disease. We believe that Roche's continued commitment to the program, together with its expertise in later-stage clinical development and commercialization, will provide the support and capabilities to realize the full potential of this compound."
In a recently completed phase IIa study in Alzheimer's disease patients, MEM 3454 demonstrated a statistically significant effect on multiple measures of cognition. The compound is currently being evaluated in a phase IIa trial in CIAS, with top-line results expected in the fourth quarter of 2008. The trial is expected to enrol approximately 160 patients and is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and cognitive effects of three doses of MEM 3454 in patients with CIAS. In addition, Memory Pharmaceuticals and Roche recently expanded their schizophrenia development programme for MEM 3454 to include a biomarker study, which will be funded by Roche. Memory Pharmaceuticals expects to initiate the biomarker trial this summer, with results expected by early 2009.
MEM 3454 is a partial agonist of the nicotinic alpha-7 receptor, a highly specialized receptor found in the central nervous system. Compounds acting on this receptor could be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, as well as other psychiatric and neurological disorders, a company statement said.