UroGene S.A. announced that they company has signed an exclusive development and commercialization agreement with Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for Besipirdine. UroGene will further develop the compound for the treatment of Over Active Bladder (OAB).

Besipirdine has been formerly developed under evaluation by Aventis up to phase III clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, involving the administration of the compound to over 1500 patients. UroGene recently demonstrated the potential for the compound in OAB as a new C-fiber inhibitor with an original mechanism of action. UroGene will pursue development starting from phase II clinical trials in OAB patients.

With a prevalence of 16 per cent, and only 1.8 per cent of patients being treated, OAB market potential is evaluated at around $1.2 billion and expected to reach $4.2 billions by 2009. Current treatments are not satisfactory for 50 per cent of patients due to inefficiency or secondary effects.

"UroGene intends to become a leading provider of products in the urological field," said Christian Grenier, CEO of UroGene. "This major in-licensing deal with Aventis provides my company with a novel, first-in-class drug that could offer superior efficacy treatment for OAB patients. This also enables us to broaden our urological portfolio in a promising indication with a clear unmet medical need."

"This agreement will further strengthen the historical relationship between Aventis and UroGene, which was recently highlighted by the recent acquisition of Chrysalon, our chemical UroGene's chemical department which originated from a spin-off from Aventis, and the strong Genavent involvement in our A series round of financing."

Financial terms of the agreement are not disclosed.