MSD enters agreement with Neuromed

MSD and Neuromed Pharmaceuticals have announced a deal regarding the research, development and commercialisation of compounds for the treatment of pain and neurological disorders.

The collaboration and licensing agreement between the two companies includes Neuromed’s NMED-160, a painkiller that is currently in phase-II trials.

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Neuromed, a leader in the quest for orally active, small molecule blockers of the N-type calcium channel,” said Dr Dennis W Choi, executive vice president of neurosciences at MSD Research Laboratories.

“This partnership complements the considerable internal research taking place at MSD to develop much-needed new medicines for pain. We look forward to joining forces with Neuromed and hope that together, we will lead the field to a new generation of pain killers.”

MSD’s part of the deal is largely financial, with $25 million initially being paid to Neuromed. A further $202 million could be paid if NMED-160 is successfully developed and launches.

In total, MSD said that milestone payments to Neuromed could reach as much as $450 million.

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