TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc has agreed to sell its Alzheimer's disease genetics research programme to Eisai Co, Ltd for an upfront cash payment. TorreyPines and Eisai have collaborated on the genetics programme since 2002, with the most recent agreement between the parties concluding on September 30, 2008. The Alzheimer's disease genetics research programme focused on the discovery of Alzheimer's disease targets using whole-genome family-based association screening.

"We are pleased to announce the sale of our genetics programme to our long-time partner, Eisai," said Ev Graham, acting chief executive officer of TorreyPines Therapeutics. "The sale of this asset furthers our transition to a development-only company and enables us to focus our resources on advancing our clinical stage assets: tezampanel, NGX426 and NGX267. As a leader in treating Alzheimer's disease we believe Eisai is well positioned to capitalize on the discoveries from the genetics programme."

The genetics programme is one of two TorreyPines discovery programmes focused on Alzheimer's disease, the other being a gamma secretase modulator (GSM) programme. Recently, a lead compound from the GSM programme has been shown to reduce plaque load and Abeta peptide levels in the brains of Tg2576 Alzheimer's disease model mice after seven months of oral dosing. TorreyPines is currently seeking a partner for this program.

TorreyPines Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company committed to providing patients with better alternatives to existing therapies through the research, development and commercialization of small molecule compounds.