The license grants Galenea the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the novel indole-based agonists, said Galenea.
The licensed compounds have demonstrated potent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, highly desirable selectivity against other serotonin receptor family members and significant reduction of food intake in animal models of obesity, according to Galenea. Based on these characteristics, the companies are aiming to generate a molecule for the safe and effective treatment of obesity.
Under the terms of the agreement, Galenea will collaborate with Organix to identify development candidates and will be solely responsible for further development, manufacture and commercialization of the therapeutic products. The four licensors will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible for milestone payments and royalties on future product sales.
Mark Benjamin, CEO of Galenea, said: “We are thrilled to have identified such a unique opportunity for Galenea. Licensing this program not only allows us to expand our pipeline by leveraging existing capabilities in medicinal chemistry and in vivo pharmacology but also to address a disease with such substantial unmet medical need.”