Schwarz Pharma AG of Monheim,
Germany and ALviva
biopharmaceuticals
Inc. of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada announce the signing of a collaboration
and license agreement.
The collaboration gives SCHWARZ PHARMA access to a group of compounds
which have been developed to address
neurodegenerative diseases such as
Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's Disease and Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). At least two of ALviva's compounds have already been
identified as potent agents. Besides
milestone payments and license fees
SCHWARZ PHARMA will fund
drug development. From the collaboration,
SCHWARZ PHARMA will receive the worldwide development and
marketing rights
to all new
drugs useful for the treatment of CNS conditions. The initial goal of the
work will be to select a
lead compound from ALviva's most promising candidates.
ALviva's technology focuses on the mechanism by which
neurons die during the
course of neurodegenerative disease. This offers the opportunity that these
compounds may delay or block the relentless course of deterioration taken by all
neurodegenerative
diseases. Such a drug would introduce a new era in the
treatment of these debilitating conditions.
"This strategic alliance between SCHWARZ PHARMA and ALviva combines
ALviva's expertise in CNS
drug discovery and SCHWARZ PHARMA's capability in
drug development" said Lars Ekman, MD, PhD, Executive Board member of
SCHWARZ PHARMA AG. "Since we already have three CNS projects in Phase II,
we are excited by this opportunity to add novel and innovative preclinical projects
which will expand our CNS
franchise."
Dr. Alan A. Boulton, President and CEO of ALviva Biopharmaceuticals Inc. said,
"This alliance represents the breakthrough ALviva has been seeking. With a partner
as solid and energetic as SCHWARZ PHARMA, ALviva's drugs are assured of rapid
development whilst at the same time allowing ALviva to enhance its technology,
understand the mechanisms of action, as well as create new drugs. It truly is a
splendid international relationship."