Neuromed, Merck to collaborate on novel N-type calcium channel compounds for pain

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., March 20 - Neuromed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Merck & Co., Inc. signed a research collaboration and license agreement to research, develop and commercialize novel compounds for the treatment of pain and other neurological disorders, including Neuromed's lead compound, NMED-160, currently in phase 2 development for the treatment of pain.

Under the agreement, Neuromed grants Merck an exclusive worldwide license to research, develop and commercialize NMED-160 and other compounds that selectively target the N-type calcium channel, according to a company news release.

Merck will be responsible for all development costs and activities and will pay an initial $25 million to Neuromed. In addition, Neuromed will receive research funding from Merck for two years, with the option to renew for two more years.

The successful development and launch of NMED-160 for an initial single indication worldwide would trigger milestone payments totaling $202 million, and up to $450 million if further indications are approved, the release stated.

The agreement calls for Neuromed to receive royalties on worldwide sales of NMED-160 and any additional compounds developed under the agreement, with possible additional milestone payments based on compound development.

Further financial terms were not disclosed, according to the release.

"Blocking pain signaling through the N-type calcium channel is a novel approach for the treatment of pain," Neuromed president and chief executive officer Christopher Gallen said in the release.

"We believe our partnership with Merck could enable Neuromed to realize the significant potential value of our lead NMED-160 program and help us achieve our goal of developing breakthrough medicines for pain, a major unmet medical need, as well as other neurological disorders."

Neuromed is a private biopharmaceutical company that develops chronic pain drugs with a sole focus on target-specific calcium channel drugs. The company is located in Conshohocken, N.J.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The company is based in Whitehouse Station, N.J.

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