Merck licenses Sumitomo schizophrenia agent
Pharmaceuticals, which gives it an exclusive license to SM13496
(lurasidone), an atypical antipsychotic that the latter company is
developing for the treatment of schizophrenia.
SM13496, which is currently undergoing Phase II testing, is a compound that combines dopamine D2 antagonism with serotonin 5HT-2A blocking properties. In early trials, it has shown antipsychotic efficacy and appears to be generally well tolerated compared to existing antipsychotics.
Results from early research suggest that the drug may not cause the problematic weight gain side effects that have plagued users of other second-generation antipsychotics.
The license, which covers all parts of the world except for Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan, entitles Sumitomo an undisclosed initial payment as well as future milestones and royalties on net sales. The Japanese company, which is due to merge with fellow Japanese company Dainippon later this year, also retains the option to co-promote the product in the US.
Commenting on the deal, Peter Kim, president of Merck's research laboratories, said: "We believe SM13496 has the potential to be a new therapeutic option for physicians in the treatment of schizophrenia, one of the world's most disabling severe mental illnesses."
In May, a study reported in PloS Medicine concluded that schizophrenia will affect seven to eight out of every thousand people in their lifetime, a lower prevalence than previously thought
