Retrophin to acquire Kyalin Biosciences; in-licenses Syntocinon

In a second takeover bid within a matter of months, USA-based Retrophin (OTCQB: RTRX) announced that it will acquire privately-held Kyalin Biosciences, an early-stage company based in San Diego, California, that is developing therapies targeting the core symptoms of autism and related conditions.

Its lead product is an optimized intranasal delivery form of carbetocin, a synthetic analog of the naturally occurring peptide hormone, oxytocin. The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, is scheduled to close by year-end.

As part of the transaction, Srinivas Rao, founder and president of Kyalin, immediately joins Retrophin as executive vice president, head of neuroscience with responsibility for central nervous system (CNS) drug development.