The JV will focus on developing novel modulators of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that is believed to play a vital role in cognition.
CoMentis president and CEO Terence Kelly said, "We believe that alpha7 modulators have the potential to become significant therapeutic agents, and we believe that the portfolio of allosteric modulators and the expertise that Anvyl brings provides a unique 2nd generation approach to the established alpha 7 agonist program that CoMentis has advanced."
Modulators of alpha7 nicotinic receptor in the human brain were proven to be useful in Phase II studies on cognitive disorders associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Anvyl chief operating officer David Putman said the teams can advance compounds quickly into clinical trials.