Vernalis Announces A2A Receptor Antagonist Programme for Parkinson's Disease Continues with Next Generation Compound
Vernalis plc (LSE: VER), a leading development stage pharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline of clinical and early stage programmes, today announced that the company and its partner, Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB), will continue its novel A2A receptor antagonist programme for Parkinson's disease with a next generation Vernalis compound. Based on findings from preclinical studies, the companies have discontinued development of V2006/BIIB014, also known as vipadenant, in favour of the alternate compound, which is also in development.
Although the companies achieved positive results in Phase II clinical studies, the decision to discontinue vipadenant was based on a review of findings in preclinical toxicology studies. The A2A pathway remains an important focus for drug development in Parkinson's disease, and both companies are committed to developing the most promising candidate in the A2A antagonist portfolio. Vernalis and Biogen Idec expect to progress the next generation compound into Phase I clinical studies in early 2011.
Vernalis and Biogen Idec entered into a collaboration agreement in June 2004 to advance research of Vernalis' adenosine A2A receptor antagonist programme. Under the terms of this agreement, Biogen Idec received exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise Vernalis' lead compound (V2006/BIIB014) along with a back-up compound.
Biogen Idec will continue to fund all development costs under the collaboration and Vernalis can earn milestones and royalties on the successful development and commercialisation of the next generation compound to the extent that milestones have not already been paid for vipadenant.
Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis commented, "We are, of course, disappointed that development of vipadenant will be discontinued but are encouraged that Biogen Idec is to develop Vernalis' next generation compound as a potential novel treatment for this neurodegenerative disease."
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that impacts four to six million people worldwide in which cells that help to regulate movement are unable to produce adequate levels of a chemical messenger called dopamine. Parkinson's disease symptoms occur when approximately 80% of these cells no longer function. Parkinson's disease progresses over time with symptoms including trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination.[1]
Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, there are drugs that treat its symptoms. Some directly boost the level of dopamine in the brain, some prevent the breakdown of dopamine, and others stimulate the same receptors as dopamine. Generally positive in the short-term, these treatments can have troublesome side effects and tend to become less effective over time. There is a critical need to identify different pathways for treating this disease.
About The A2A Pathway
The chemical adenosine plays an important role in the brain in motor co-ordination and movement control. Adenosine A2A receptors are found together with dopamine receptors in critical areas of the brain that are damaged in Parkinson's disease. This close association may allow adenosine A2A receptors to modify the effect of dopamine on brain activity. Blockade of the adenosine A2A receptor may have the potential to compensate for the loss of dopamine and to restore the motor imbalance caused by Parkinson's disease without causing some of the troublesome side effects caused by therapies acting via the dopamine system.