BRIEF—Metrion picks up Japan Tobacco compounds

Metrion Biosciences, the specialist ion channel contract research and drug discovery company, has acquired a portfolio of more than 2,000 small molecule potassium channel inhibitors from Japan Tobacco.

The acquired intellectual property rights are seen to have potential application in a variety of clinical indications, including auto-immune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Metrion now owns all patented and unpatented IP developed during previous collaboration between the UK-based company and Japan Tobacco.

The compounds acquired, although designed and tested during the three years of the Metrion team’s collaboration with the Japanese company and shown to be potent inhibitors of the specific ion channel target, did not meet the Tokyo-based firm’s criteria for product development.

Japan Tobacco will be paid an upfront fee along with milestone and royalty payments, dependent on successful further development and commercialisation. Further terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Metrion has identified potential applications in a variety of clinical indications, including auto-immune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.