AIMs activate the transcription factor Nrf2, that suppresses NF-?B, a transcription factor that is associated with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative disease and COPD.
As per the deal, Abbott and Reata will equally share costs and profits for all new AIMs in all newly licensed indications except for rheumatoid arthritis and some other autoimmune diseases, in which Abbott will take 70% of costs and profits and Reata will take 30%.
Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Research and Development senior vice president John Leonard said the collaboration facilitates Abbott to advance its promising research pipeline across multiple therapeutic areas.
"Accumulating data has established the potential for antioxidant inflammation modulators in neuroscience and immunology, and we look forward to expanding our knowledge through further research," Leonard added.
Both the companies plan the first compound in this partnership to enter into human clinical trials in 2012.
In september 2010, both the companies also signed a collaboration agreement, in which Reata granted Abbott exclusive rights to develop and commercialise its lead AIM compound, bardoxolone methyl, outside US, except certain Asian markets.