Vernalis plc and H. Lundbeck A/S have entered into a drug
discovery collaboration utilising Vernalis’ fragment and structure-based drug
discovery platform against LRRK2, a kinase target. Inhibitors of this target
may have potential utility in the treatment of neurodegenerative indications,
such as Parkinson’s Disease.
Under the terms of the collaboration Vernalis will receive
fees and a potential share in the downstream success of the product in the form
of milestones and royalties on sales. The financial terms of this
collaboration are not disclosed.
Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis, commented: “We are
delighted to be working with Lundbeck and look forward to a close working
relationship over the course of the collaboration. The collaboration
announced today further endorses the quality of our fragment and
structure-based drug discovery platform and continues our success in securing
collaborations that allow us to maintain a balanced investment in research.”
“Lundbeck will get access to a state of the art
platform for fragment based drug discovery and structural biology. This
combined with their experience for discovering Kinase inhibitors and Lundbeck
CNS experience will ensure a strong alliance towards finding novel
medicines” said Klaus Bæk Simonsen, Head of Discovery Chemistry at H.
Lundbeck A/S.
