AstraZeneca and Targacept amend neuroscience collaboration

AstraZeneca and Targacept are restructuring their neuroscience research alliance in order to remove potential contractual barriers.

Under the revised terms of the collaboration, AstraZeneca will return to Targacept all rights to the alpha4beta2 modulator TC-1734 – also known as AZD3480 – which is currently in phase IIb development as a mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease therapy.

Additionally, targacept will gain the right to pursue development and commercialisation of any alpha7 NNR modulator in any therapeutic area, including cognitive disorders and schizophrenia, without any obligation to AstraZeneca.

In return, AstraZeneca will be able to develop and commercialise the alpha4beta2 NNR modulators that it has licensed from Targacept under the collaboration in any therapeutic area, rather than in cognitive disorders and schizophrenia only.

Dr Mike Poole, head of innovative neuroscience therapies at AstraZeneca, said this will help the company to develop its research strategy "wherever the science leads us, which we believe increases our chances for clinical success".

In January 2013, AstraZeneca announced a new collaboration with Cellular Dynamics International in the field of stem cell technology for use in future drug development.