DUBLIN, Nov. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE:
AGN), a leading global pharmaceutical company, and Rugen
Therapeutics, a start-up biotechnology company focused on the
development of novel treatments for unmet CNS disorders and funded
by the F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative (FBRI), today
announced that they have entered into an exclusive collaboration to
support the discovery and development of novel therapies for Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Obsessive Compulsive disorders
(OCD).
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Importantly, Allergan sought out this collaboration due to its
passion and willingness to invest in people with ASD and their
families and to identify ground-breaking therapeutic modalities to
help them.
The collaboration is another example of Allergan's commitment to
its Open Science model - developing promising products that
frequently originate with smaller, innovative companies throughout
the biopharma innovation ecosystem.
Under the terms of the agreement, Rugen received an upfront
initiation fee at the outset of the collaboration, and is entitled
to development stage initiation and success-based milestone
payments for advancing compounds in development. Allergan will have
the exclusive option to acquire all rights, including the worldwide
intellectual property rights and other assets, related to the
compounds following clinical proof of concept studies.
As part of the collaboration, Allergan and Rugen will jointly
focus on the development of novel small molecule drug candidates.
The research collaboration initially includes early stage
compounds, which are first-in-class orally active molecules being
developed for multiple CNS disorders. Rugen has demonstrated
efficacy for its compounds in animal models of ASD and OCD.
"Allergan is committed to finding breakthrough therapies in
areas where there are limited treatment options. Autism Spectrum
Disorders and OCD are areas of medicine where there continues to be
a substantial amount of unmet need in identifying and developing
treatments for the underlying mechanisms of disease. For example,
according to the Centers for Disease Control &
Prevention,i one in 68 children has autism spectrum
disease," said David Nicholson,
Executive Vice President, Global Brands Research and Development at
Allergan. "The compounds we are working to develop with Rugen are
in preclinical development, but we are excited by the possibilities
that these novel molecules may provide to physicians, patients and
caregivers facing these disorders."
"Rugen was founded on the belief that recent advances in our
fundamental understanding of psychiatric illnesses, led by genetic
discoveries, will allow us to develop breakthrough therapeutics for
devastating illnesses. We are thrilled that Allergan, a global
leader in the development and commercialization of treatments for
CNS diseases, recognizes our scientific capabilities in
neuroscience and the promise of the series of new molecules we
discovered and developed at Rugen. We have a highly committed and
experienced partner in Allergan and look forward to working
together to develop multiple new breakthrough medicines over the
coming years," said Stacie Weninger,
Executive Director of F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative
(FBRI).
About Allergan
Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global
pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model –
Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing,
manufacturing and commercializing innovative branded
pharmaceuticals, high-quality generic and over-the-counter
medicines and biologic products for patients around the world.
Allergan markets a portfolio of best-in-class products that
provide valuable treatments for the central nervous system, eye
care, medical aesthetics, gastroenterology, women's health,
urology, cardiovascular and anti-infective therapeutic categories,
and operates the world's third-largest global generics business,
providing patients around the globe with increased access to
affordable, high-quality medicines. Allergan is an industry leader
in research and development, with one of the broadest development
pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry and a leading position in
the submission of generic product applications globally.
With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries,
Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare
providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful
treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier
lives.
For more information, visit Allergan's website at
www.allergan.com.
About Rugen Therapeutics
Launched in 2013 and funded by the F-Prime Biomedical Research
Initiative (FBRI), Rugen Therapeutics is a biotech company
discovering and developing novel first-in-class small molecule
drugs with the potential to address multiple psychiatric
indications. Rugen's founders include Guoping Feng, PhD, Poitras Chair Professor, the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) and a member of the Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard University and Zhigang He, PhD, Professor, Children's Hospital
Boston and Harvard Medical School.
About F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative
The F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative (FBRI) seeks to
advance the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment
of neurological disorders. FBRI supports this important work
by funding early-stage research in academia and the private sector,
thereby furthering innovative discoveries with the goal of
transforming them into potential therapeutics.
Allergan Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that refer to future
events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements
that reflect Allergan's current perspective of existing trends and
information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly
required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a
number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors
include, among others, the risks associated with acquisition
transactions; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of
FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive
products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for
Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and
other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic
public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including but not limited to Allergan's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2015 (such periodic public filings having been filed under
the "Allergan plc" or "Actavis plc" names) and from time to time in
Allergan's other investor communications . Except as expressly
required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements.
i CDC Data and Statistics:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
CONTACTS:
Allergan:
Investors:
Lisa DeFrancesco
(862) 261-7152
Media:
Mark Marmur
(862) 261-7558
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SOURCE Allergan plc