Eolas Therapeutics entered into a worldwide license and partnership agreement with AstraZeneca on the Eolas Orexin-1 Receptor Antagonist (EORA) program for smoking cessation and other indications. EORA was awarded a Blueprint Neurotherapeutics (BPN) grant from the NIH for the development of the program from the preclinical stage through phase I clinical trials.
“We are happy to be partnering with AstraZeneca on our EORA program for their scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial expertise. Our two companies share a vision for greatly improving the lives of patients affected by addiction and other neurological disorders,” said Albert Man, CEO of Eolas Therapeutics. “We are pleased that support from the NIH's Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) facilitated Eolas' efforts aimed at developing new therapies for addiction.”
“The goal of the BPN is to speed the practical application of promising neuroscience projects by supporting early-stage research that will attract industry support,” explained Rajesh Ranganathan, Ph.D., director of the office of translational research at the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “This partnership between Eolas and AstraZeneca shows that the BPN strategy is working and that combining the strengths and capabilities of industry and academia can accelerate research.”
The total deal potential is in excess of $145 million. This includes upfront, clinical, and regulatory milestone payments. Additionally, Eolas is eligible to receive royalties on commercial sales.
