MarketWire
Munich, Germany, October 23, 2008 - Origenis GmbH today announced
that it broadened its drug discovery research alliance with Alcon
Research, Ltd. (ARL) to create and develop small molecule drugs for
important ophthalmic targets. ARL is an affiliate of Alcon, Inc., the world's largest eye care company. The alliance
combines Origenis' capabilities in compound design, chemical
synthesis, and screening with Alcon's applied biology, pharmacology,
and development expertise in ophthalmology.
Origenis successfully employs its proprietary small molecule
discovery platform MOREsystem(R) to design, synthesize, and
characterise novel molecules acting against different targets.
Origenis will deliver IND candidates with specific properties mainly
for ophthalmic applications for certain Alcon targets. Dr. Michael
Thormann, Managing Director at Origenis said: "This further extension
underlines once more the power of our technology platform in the
creation of NCEs, our interdisciplinary expertise, and commitment of
our company in the small molecule drug sector."
Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon will retain the rights to any
products for ophthalmic and nasal applications and Origenis will
retain certain rights to all other uses of drug candidates discovered
during the alliance. Alcon will make research payments to Origenis
through a series of development milestones and royalties on sales.
"We have been very pleased with our relationship with Origenis, which
has been a reliable partner that has provided us with value-added
research in small molecules that we believe have promise in
ophthalmology," said Dr. John Yanni, Vice President, Discovery
Research at Alcon, "We hope that the expansion of our relationship
with Origenis will lead to even more candidates for development."
-ends-
Notes
Origenis GmbH ( www.origenis.com) is a privately owned biotechnology
company headquartered in the Munich Biotech Region. Origenis offers
proven expertise in drug design, chemical synthesis, and biological
characterisation combined with its proprietary Small Molecule Drug
Discovery Technology Platform.Origenis drives a novel Drug Discovery
Process that creates broad and strong IP portfolios, reduces
attrition rate, and finally shortens time to market. This highly
integrated platform - MOREsystem(R) - has delivered novel development
candidates for a variety of targets and medical indications.
Alcon, Inc. ( www.alcon.com) is the world's leading eye care company,
with sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2007. Alcon, which has
been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for more than 60 years,
researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals,
surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care solutions and other
vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other
conditions of the eye.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Michael Thormann, Managing Director
Tel: +49 (0)89 7801 676 0
[email protected]
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer
is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Copyright Copyright Hugin AS 2008. All rights reserved.
SOURCE: origenis GmbH