Actelion To Acquire Trophos

Trophos’ compound Olesoxime has completed the recruitment of patients into a Phase III study in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an orphan disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Actelion and Trophos also agreed on a research collaboration to allow Actelion access to Trophos’ proprietary CNS assay technology and compound library. The technology mimics neuronal degeneration processes in the test tube and is used to screen chemical compounds for their ability to block these processes.

Simon Buckingham, president of global corporate and business development, said: “Trophos has done a good job to enroll more than 500 ALS patients into the pivotal study. Once study results are available, Actelion is ideally positioned to leverage these achievements.”

Damian Marron, CEO of Trophos, said: “Since its inception, Trophos has made progress in turning its expertise in neurodegenerative disorders and orphan diseases into achievements that include advancing our compound Olesoxime into late stage clinical development. The development of Olesoxime has benefited from support from patient communities, clinical investigators and the European Union (EU).

“We are delighted with the option agreement with Actelion, which will bring additional expertise and competencies to enable Trophos’ compound to rapidly reach patients following a successful study outcome.”

Martine Clozel, chief scientific officer at Actelion, said: “Trophos has an approach and proprietary expertise that has enabled the development of throughput screens using primary neurons as well as the ability to broadly profile more advanced compounds.

“This is of great value to Actelion as we have developed a large in-house compound library and expertise in the field of neurological disorders.”