Aestus is expected to develop the product as ATx08-001, a novel therapeutic for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The first clinical trial will start later this year.
Aestus has identified Atx08-001, using proprietary systems biology engine for the analysis of genome-scale expression data.
Atx08-001 is a PPAR-gamma agonist with an unprecedented safety profile, as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Aestus said that ATx08-001 is more effective than standard treatments in reversing pain behavior in pre-clinical neuropathic pain models.
Furthermore, Aestus is preparing for clinical trials to test the efficacy of ATx08-001 in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Tage Honore, co-founder and CEO of Aestus, said: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Astellas to license FK614. The extensive database of human safety studies on FK614 will enable a faster, more efficient process to bring a potential new therapy through the clinical investigations and to market to treat chronic pain. This therapy holds a vast potential to provide a new treatment option to the 39 million people who suffer from chronic pain globally.”