Cytokinetics and Astellas expanded ALS research pact that could lead to new treatment breakthroughs

Shares of Cytokinetics (Nasdaq: CYTK) closed up 4.75% at $10.36 yesterday, after the company revealed that it has expanded its 2013 collaboration with Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TSE: 4503) in skeletal muscle activators, to include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Through this expansion, Cytokinetics has granted Astellas an option right for the development and commercialization of tirasemtiv, an investigational skeletal muscle activator. The companies have also agreed to amend their collaboration agreement to enable the development of CK-2127107 for the potential treatment of ALS and to extend their joint research focused on the discovery of additional next-generation skeletal muscle activators through 2017.

“We are pleased to further expand our productive and successful collaboration with Astellas in the area of skeletal muscle activators and to align our interests with regard to tirasemtiv and ALS,” said Robert Blum, Cytokinetics’ president and chief executive, adding: “Advancing tirasemtiv and CK-2127107 for the potential treatment of ALS reinforces our shared commitment to deliver on the promise of fast skeletal troponin activation for people living with ALS who are fighting this dreadful disease.”