UCB agrees neurology partnership with Synosia Therapeutics

UCB is allying with Synosia Therapeutics in a new partnership focusing on treatments in the field of neurology.

The company will make an initial equity investment in Synosia worth $20 million (12.6 million pounds) in exchange for exclusive rights to two promising new compounds being researched as Parkinson's disease therapies.

Both drugs are currently in phase II clinical development, with Synosia set to receive regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $725 million should the compounds achieve their potential.

The deal will also see two UCB company representatives join the board of directors at Synosia.

Dr Ismail Kola, executive vice-president of drug discovery and president of UCB New Medicines, said: "We are impressed with Synosia's development capabilities and the possibility of expanding our alliance in the future."

In July 2010, the company announced a deal to out-licence six of its healthcare products to Actient Pharmaceuticals, allowing it to increase its focus on key products such as Cimzia and Vimpat.