Accure Therapeutics, a private translational neuroscience R&D company and a CataloniaBio & HealthTech member, and Oculis, a global ophthalmology company developing life changing treatments to save sight and improve eye care with breakthrough innovations, announced a licensing agreement granting Oculis exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize ACT-01 a potentially disease modifying therapy to protect and prevent damage to the optic nerve and retina.
ACT-01, which is being renamed OCS-05, is a first in class small molecule with neuroprotective activity that has shown positive results in animal models of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Its mechanism of action is related to the activation of the trophic factor pathways such as IGF 1 and B DNF. In ophthalmology, this action can protect the nerve axons in conditions where the optic nerve is affected such as in acute optic neuritis and glaucoma, where the OCS-05 could prevent chronic vision loss. Based on positive preclinical data and results of a phaseI safety and PK study in healthy volunteers, a phase 2a study was initiated (the ACUITY study).
Oculis is currently planning the expansion of the program in ophthalmology working with the regulatory agencies in the US, EU and China amongst others.
LaurentNguyen, M.D., co-founder and CEO at Accure Therapeutics,said: “Having shown promising early data and potential in a number of ocular disease indications, the timing is right for a partnership between two like-minded companies committed to patients and driven by a passion for neuroscience. By leveraging its expertise in ophthalmology, Oculis has the potential to fulfill the promise of this exciting asset in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Accure Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment, potential milestone payments upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on sales.
Montserrat Vendrell, chairman of Accure Therapeutics and partner at AltaLife Sciences added: “This licensing deal with Oculis is a proof of concept of the value creation that Accure Therapeutics brings as a translational R&D engine, taking forward truly unique science that spun off from the University of Barcelona. This licensing agreement will enhance Accure’s capabilities to accelerate and expand value potential for the rest of its pipeline.”
Accure Therapeutics was launched in 2020 with a Series A funding led by Alta Life Sciences Spain I, and supported by CDTI (Centre for Technological and Industrial Development). Iproteos, a spin-off from the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and the University of Barcelona (UB), and Bionure, a spin-off from IDIBAPS (August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute) and CSIC (Spanish NationalResearch Council) became part of the Accure.
Comments