Neuroscience focus of AstraZeneca, Vanderbilt deal

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Vanderbilt University has joined forceswith AstraZeneca PLC in a research deal to identify potential treatments forpsychosis and other psychiatric symptoms associated with diseases such asAlzheimer's and schizophrenia. AstraZeneca will make an upfront payment ofresearch funding to Vanderbilt for two years, as well as milestone payments androyalties on sales of any drugs resulting from the collaboration. In return,AstraZeneca has exclusively licensed rights to compounds developed by theVanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery.

Dr. Mike Poole, vice president of the AstraZenecaNeuroscience Innovative Medicines Unit, said the combination of "AstraZeneca'sdeep experience in drug development and translational science with VCNDD'sexpertise in drug discovery is an important step toward bringing new medicinesforward for people who are suffering from neurodegenerative diseases."