Astellas Pharma, Chromocell partner to develop neuropathic pain therapies

Under the deal, Astellas will secure worldwide rights for commercializing CC8464 and back-up drug candidates to treat pain that were found via Chromocell’s Chromovert technology platform.

Chromocell will receive $15m as an up-front payment. It will also secure more than $500m including development and commercial milestones, as well as double digit royalties after the successful commercialization of CC8464.

Chromocell will carry out CC8464 development through the initial phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial. Astellas will lead all the additional development activities through to commercialization .

Apart from development activities, Chromocell may propose, and may start, studies for several further indications like rare diseases and non-oral formulations of the drug candidate.

Astellas has the right to opt-in for development for further indications by making additional payments to Chromocell. It will also have co-promotion rights in the US.

Astellas senior vice president and chief strategy officer Kenji Yasukawa said: "Astellas expects to provide a new therapeutic option to neuropathic and other pain conditions with high unmet medical needs by the collaboration to develop CC8464, and to make further contributions to the treatment of patients with pain conditions."

CC8464 is an oral, peripherally-acting inhibitor of NaV1.7, which is an ion channel, involved in the transmission of pain.

Chromocell expects to submit an IND for CC8464 in early next year.