Allergan and Rugen Therapeutics announce new research collaboration

Allergan has entered into an exclusive collaboration with Rugen Therapeutics, a start-up biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

The companies will work together to support the discovery and development of novel therapies for autism spectrum and obsessive compulsive disorders.

A number of early-stage first-in-class orally active molecules being developed for multiple CNS disorders will be studied, with Rugen having demonstrated their efficacy in animal models.

Rugen has received an upfront initiation fee and is entitled to milestone payments for advancing the compounds in development, with Allergan gaining an exclusive option to acquire all rights to the compounds following clinical proof-of-concept studies.

David Nicholson, executive vice-president for global brands research and development at Allergan, said: "The compounds we are working to develop with Rugen are in preclinical development, but we are excited by the possibilities that these novel molecules may provide to physicians, patients and caregivers facing these disorders."

This comes after Allergan announced its forthcoming merger with Pfizer earlier this week, marking the biggest pharmaceutical industry acquisition deal in history.