As per the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will support the completion of the ongoing Phase 2 trial for Terguride and will have exclusive worldwide rights excluding Japan to commercialise Terguride for the treatment of PAH. Ergonex will be eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on the sales of Terguride for PAH.
Terguride is an oral, potent antagonist of 5-HT2B and 5-HT2A (serotonin) receptors. Serotonin stimulates the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, and induces fibrosis in the wall of pulmonary arteries.
Terguride has received orphan drug designation in both the US and in the EU for the treatment of PAH. Terguride is also currently approved in Japan for the treatment of Hyperprolactinemia.
Geno Germano, president of specialty care business unit at Pfizer, said: “In the case of Terguride, we are pleased that we can support its continued development given our commitment to advancing the science in PAH and to bringing new, potentially disease modifying treatments to patients.”
Rudolf Reiter, CEO of Ergonex Pharma, said: “The serotonin hypothesis of PAH has been around for a long time. The clinical study of Terguride in PAH is a challenging and demanding endeavor for us and we are excited about this agreement with Pfizer as it ensures continuity of development and advances our understanding of this pathway.”