Actelion takes option on Duchenne drug vamorolone

Privately-held US drug developer ReveraGen BioPharma has entered into an agreement with Actelion (SIX: ATLN), whereby the Swiss biotech major has obtained an exclusive option to in-license its lead compound vamorolone for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy at two different stages in its development.

Vamorolone is a novel compound that has the potential to preserve muscle function and prolong ambulation, without some of the known side effects associated with corticosteroids currently in use. This is important especially for very young patients with Duchenne, where glucocorticoid therapy is not appropriate due to these side effects, which include growth stunting and immune suppression.

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