Serodus buys rights to Roche drug for potential treatment of heart failure

Norway’s Serodus has entered into a license agreement with Swiss drug major Roche (ROG: VX) for a selective serotonin-4 (5-HT4) antagonist for the potential treatment of heart failure (RO1160367). Under the terms of the deal, Serodus will receive the full preclinical and clinical documentation for RO1160637.

In return, Roche will receive an upfront payment as well as be entitled to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. The Swiss company is also eligible to receive royalties on sales of products commercialized under the license. Privately-held Serodus has been granted the exclusive development, manufacturing and worldwide marketing and sale rights with the rights to sub-license. In certain cases, Roche has a right to negotiate to regain the product rights.

Commenting on the accord, Serodus chief executive Eva Steiness stated: “This agreement will enable Serodus to move its heart failure program directly into the clinic without waiting for our own preclinical development.”