Domain Therapeutics grants Prexton Therapeutics an exclusive option to license and develop mGluR4 PAMs for Parkinson s Disease

Domain Therapeutics S.A. announced today that Domain Therapeutics grants Prexton Therapeutics (Geneva, Switzerland) an exclusive option to license and develop metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) Positive Allosteric Modulator (PAM) drugs targeting Parkinson’s disease.

The chemical series was previously developed through a licensing and collaboration agreement signed between Domain and Merck Serono, a division of Merck (Darmstadt, Germany) in January 2011. This agreement between Domain Therapeutics and Prexton Therapeutics – a spin-off company of Merck Serono formed around its R&D portfolio in the field of Parkinson’s disease – follows a strategic decision from Merck Serono to focus its research efforts on certain diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and immune-mediated diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement signed between Domain and Prexton, Prexton will benefit from an exclusive license option to progress the mGluR4 PAM drug candidates into clinical development.

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with former seasoned scientists of Merck Serono, who had been involved in this mGluR4 PAM project within Merck Serono,” said Pascal Neuville, chief executive officer, Domain Therapeutics. “We are very confident that this newly founded company with a unique focus on mGluRs for neurodegenerative diseases will be the best partner to drive the project to an Investigational New Drug (IND) stage and then ensure its clinical development.”

“I had the opportunity to follow Domain’s mGluR4 PAM compounds and I am very glad that we can benefit from the collaborative work led by Domain and Merck Serono,” said François Conquet, chief executive officer, Prexton Therapeutics. “This license option agreement clearly strengthens Prexton’s franchise in the business of mGluR drugs.”

About Domain Therapeutics

Domain Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company located in Strasbourg, France, dedicated to the discovery and early development of small molecules targeting G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), one of the most important classes of drug targets. Domain Therapeutics discovers GPCR drugs by exploiting its innovative and differentiated approach. The company’s pipeline is composed of new chemical entities, ranging from hits to optimized leads for significant CNS and metabolic disorders.

For more information, please visit http://www.domaintherapeutics.com

About Prexton Therapeutics

Prexton Therapeutics has the mission to develop innovative drugs to improve the quality of life of people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders. Recently founded in Geneva, Switzerland, Prexton Therapeutics is developing novel mGluR4 PAM series. Considerable effort are going into creating chemical diversity of drug-like molecules with properties suitable for brain diseases, such as blood-brain barrier penetration or an ADME/PK profile optimized to achieve target coverage. Prexton Therapeutics has the expertise to design novel mGluR4 compounds as new treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

For more information, please visit http://www.prextontherapeutics.com