A2A agonist is being developed for open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Santen Pharmaceutical filed an IND application for Clinical Data’s ATL313, a treatment for primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Under the terms of a license agreement inked by the firms in April, the IND filing gives rise to a $2 million milestone payment to Clinical Data on or before January 15, 2011.
In addition to this milestone payment, Clinical Data is also entitled to receive further development, regulatory, and commercial milestone fees as well as royalties on product sales. Clinical Data has retained intellectual property rights for the development of ATL313 outside of ophthalmic diseases as well as rights to use the data generated from the collaboration for purposes outside this field.
Santen initially entered into an option agreement in May 2007 to evaluate Clinical Data’s library of adenosine A2A agonists. The aim was to identify and confirm activity in one or more lead compounds. Encouraging results from advanced preclinical studies led to the selection of ATL313 for further development of topical ophthalmic treatments by Santen. Santen retains an option to an additional compound, which must be exercised within a year from signing the license agreement.
ATL313 is a highly selective adenosine A2A agonist. Santen plans on initiating clinical trials in early 2011. Clinical Data says that its adenosine compounds are developed to optimize receptor selectivity and pharmacokinetics to improve tolerability and enhance overall therapeutic potential.
The most advanced adenosine receptor targeted product candidate in Clinical Data’s pipeline is Stedivaze. It is in Phase III development for use as a pharmacologic stress agent during myocardial perfusion imaging. Clinical Data also has an A2B receptor antagonist in preclinical development as an oral treatment for type 2 diabetes and asthma, with Novartis holding an option to license these programs. The firm also has a cancer-related agreement with Zalicus (formerly CombinatoRx).
