Actelion Achieves Clinical Milestone In Roche Alliance

Actelion has reported that the selective S1P1 receptor agonist ACT-128800/ RG3477 has achieved an important clinical milestone. Actelion’s selective S1P1 (Sphingosine-1-phosphate) receptor agonist has entered into a phase IIb dose-finding study in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. This triggers a milestone payment by Roche to Actelion of $20m.

Reportedly, Actelion and Roche entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration in July 2006, to jointly develop and commercialise Actelion’s selective S1P1 receptor agonist, an immunomodulator with the potential for once-a-day oral dosing.

S1P1 collaboration covers both the current selective S1P1 receptor agonist in clinical development, as well as any other selective S1P1 receptor agonists resulting from Actelion’s research efforts in the field. Actelion received an upfront payment of $75m in July 2006.

Under the agreement, in the case of future development and approval milestones being achieved, Actelion will be eligible to receive further payments of up to $535m for the first compound for all targeted indications. Further development and approval milestone payments are due for additional compounds. Roche will pay Actelion undisclosed royalties on all product sales.

Guy Braunstein, head of clinical development at Actelion, said: “Together with our partner Roche, we are committed to the rapid development of our selective S1P1 receptor agonist for patients suffering from autoimmune disorders. With the start of this dose-finding study in patients with multiple sclerosis, we have made an important step forward.”