Xention and Grunenthal in research collaboration focussing on novel pain drugs

Cambridge, UK-based biopharmaceutical company Xention, specializing in the discovery and development of ion channel-modulating drugs, has entered into a research agreement with family-owned German firm Grunenthal focussing on novel pain therapeutics.

Under the terms of the accord, the companies will combine their respective expertise in ion channel drug discovery and pain therapy to collaborate in the identification of new drugs to treat chronic pain. Xention will apply its proprietary ion channel drug discovery platform to the design, synthesis and in vitro assessment of small molecules which target an ion channel of key pathophysiological importance in pain and against which selective ligands have not previously been developed. Grunenthal will add key expertise to all discovery aspects and assume responsibility to (pre)-clinical development and worldwide commercialization of potential new pharmaceutical products arising from the collaboration.

Grunenthal will fund the two-year research program in its entirety, and Xention will also receive an upfront fee and be eligible for milestone fees on meeting specified discovery objectives and on the achievement of development and regulatory goals. Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.