SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO—Oct. 8, 2016—Catalyst Biosciences Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel medicines to address hematology indications, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell one of its neuronal nicotinic receptor (NNR) assets that were under development by Targacept prior to that company’s 2015 merger with Catalyst.
Catalyst is focused on developing medicines in the area of hemostasis, and prior to its merger with Targacept, decided not to develop the NNR assets. The divestiture provides an upfront payment to Catalyst of $750,000 and may also allow Catalyst to receive up to a total of $37 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties on net sales.
“The sale of another NNR asset, following our divestiture of three NNR assets earlier this summer, has allowed Catalyst to realize additional value for a subset of these non-core assets as we remain focused on our therapeutic programs in hemophilia,” said Dr. Nassim Usman, president and CEO of Catalyst.
NNR agonists are a class of drugs targeting neuronal nicotinic receptors, also known as neuronal acetylcholine nicotinic receptors. Under the terms of the agreement, one NNR asset, TC-6499, including related intellectual property rights and materials will be divested. TC-6499 is a molecule that was originally evaluated by Targacept in trials of neuropathic pain and diabetic gastroparesis.
SOURCE: Catalyst Biosciences
About Catalyst: The company is focused on the field of hemostasis, including the subcutaneous prophylaxis of hemophilia and facilitating surgery in individuals with hemophilia. Catalyst’s most advanced program is an improved next-generation coagulation Factor VIIa variant, marzeptacog alfa (activated), that has successfully completed an intravenous Phase 1 clinical trial in individuals with severe hemophilia A and B. Catalyst is also developing a next-generation Factor IX variant, CB 2679d/ISU304, that is in advanced preclinical development.
