Agreement between NiKem Research and GSK completes spin-out of Brane Discovery
programs from NiKem
Milan, Italy, June 4th, 2007 – Brane Discovery Srl, a newly formed specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel CNS therapies, today
announced the acquisition of a pre-clinical program targeting the Opioid
Receptor Like-1 (ORL-1) from Nikem Research, who acquired ORL-1 from
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The ORL-1 program originates in the 2003 research and
development collaboration agreement GSK entered into with NiKem Research to
discover novel modulators for the ORL-1 receptor. This antagonist program, which
has already generated a preclinical candidate (BND-001), will now enter the
broad preclinical CNS focused pipeline of Brane Discovery. Brane was spun out of
NiKem Research in April 2007.
ORL-1 receptors have been shown to play a key role in the presynaptic modulation
of the release of several neurotransmitters. As such, manipulation of these
receptors could constitute a therapeutic approach in a number CNS-related
illnesses. Brane will be developing this preclinical program initially for
Parkinson’s Disease, targeting those symptoms such as freezing and akinesia that
are poorly responsive to current treatments. Brane anticipates starting clinical
development in the second half of 2008.
Carlo Farina, CEO of Brane, commented:
"Nikem Research’s collaboration on ORL-1 with GSK has been extremely productive
in the past years, and we sincerely thank GSK for the recognition of Nikem’s
success in identifying a preclinical candidate. The spin-off of all IP from
NiKem to Brane, and the creation of a highly competent Clinical Development team
led by Ruggero Farriello at Brane makes us the ideal developer for this lead
candidate, and will ensure success in taking the project timely and effectively
to clinical proof of concept."
Giuseppe Giardina, CEO of NiKem, said:
“Our decision to spin-off our R&D pipeline into Brane maximizes our chances to
become an even more successful Drug Discovery service company, and ensures a
proper environment for the CNS-related IP and projects in Brane. The transfer of
NiK-001, now BND-001, into Brane is a logical consequence of our strategic
decision.”
Shelagh Wilson, VP Biology, CEEDD, GSK, added:
“We feel confident that our agreement with NiKem has identified the best
solution for this project. We wish NiKem and Brane the best in the development
of ORL-1 antagonists for the treatment of several CNS indications.”
Under the terms of the original agreement, GSK licensed its ORL-1 technology to
NiKem, and NiKem committed to identify one or more optimized preclinical
candidates. GSK had the option to continue the development and commercialization
of any ensuing development candidates, in exchange for milestones and royalty
payments to NiKem, or to allow NiKem to continue the development and
commercialization, in which case GSK would have become entitled to royalty
payments. In January 2007, GSK acknowledged that NiKem had successfully
completed the development of a preclinical candidate as defined in the original
agreement. As part of that acceptance, GSK agreed to pay NiKem the candidate
selection milestone payment. In addition, GSK transferred its ORL-1 technology,
including all relevant IP, to NiKem in exchange for a downstream royalty
payment. The conditions and financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Brane Discovery Srl (
www.branediscovery.com )
Brane Discovery Srl is a private specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the
development of novel CNS therapies. The Company is based in Milan, Italy and has
a portfolio of preclinical products addressing Parkinson’s disease, Neuropathic
Pain and other CNS Disorders. The Company was originally created through the
spin out of proprietary R&D programs from the CRO NiKem Research in April 2007.
About NiKem Research (
www.nikemresearch.com )
Based on decades of drug discovery experience and now operating at biotech
speed, NiKem Research offers a full range of medicinal and parallel chemistry
services and partnering opportunities to the pharmaceutical industry. In
addition to its expertise in hit validation and lead optimization, NiKem
Research provides its clients with the synthesis of specifically-designed custom
arrays, Explora ADMET services, biochemical screening and in vivo DMPK. NiKem
Research may operate either as a classical fee-for-service partner, or as a
co-developer in risk-sharing projects with biology-oriented biotechs having
innovative early drug discovery opportunities.
About the CEEDD ( www.ceedd.com )
GlaxoSmithKline has enhanced the way it discovers and develops drugs by creating
a small dedicated team that feeds the GSK pipeline through the efforts of its
external partnerships. The CEEDD (Center of Excellence for External Drug
Discovery) was formed as further validation of GSK’s strategy to create small,
independent and accountable R&D teams (Centers of Excellence for Drug Discovery
or CEDDs). In essence, the CEEDD ‘virtualizes’ a portion of the GSK pipeline;
namely, from Target to Clinical PoC, by forming multiple
risk-sharing/reward-sharing alliances. Capitalizing on the speed and efficiency
of its partners will allow GSK to deliver pharmaceuticals products faster to
patients.
About GlaxoSmithKline ( www.gsk.com )
GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and
healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by
enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
Further Enquiries:
Pamela Mariani
Brane Discovery Srl
t: +39 340 2254591
e: info@branediscovery.com
Dr Douglas Pretsell
Northbank Communications
t: +49 (0)89 57 00 1806
e: d.pretsell@northbankcommunications.com
