Acorda Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a license agreement relating to its preclinical small molecule, Nepicastat, with Chinese biotech Asieris Pharmaceuticals.
The agreement includes the development of Nepicastat for all non-psychiatric indications and therapeutic uses. The asset has been held by Acorda’s U.S. subsidiary, Biotie Therapies. Shanghai-based Asieris — which has U.S. locations in California and Pennsylvania — focuses on drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors.
Under the terms of the agreement, New York-based Acorda, which focuses on treatments for neurological disorders, will receive an upfront payment of $500,000, and up to an additional $7 million based on regulatory milestones. Acorda will also receive a royalty on future sales.
The news comes a little over a week after Acorda announced the resignation of CEO Lauren Sabella, effective September 30, 2022.