Akashi gets rights to novel DMD treatment from Tonus

US clinical-stage biopharma firm Akashi Therapeutics has acquired global rights to GsMTx-4, a small molecule developed by Tonus Therapeutics to address calcium level imbalance in muscle, a critical issue in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) contributing to loss of function and other associated pathologies.

Originally discovered in tarantula venom by researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo, GsMTx-4 has been shown to positively affect cellular calcium homeostasis in preclinical DMD model studies generated by Tonus.

Under the terms of the accord, Akashi will acquire global rights to the compound, including intellectual property and commercialization rights, and will be responsible for all ongoing development costs. Tonus will be eligible to receive potential milestones and royalties on future sales of any resulting DMD products. No further terms were disclosed.