Swiss/Japan drug development accord in vascular disease

Collaboration agreed

The Swiss biotech Actelion Ltd have reached an agreement with the Japanese pharmaceutical company Nippon Shinyaku of Kyoto for the co-development of NS-304, a novel treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

NS-304, is an orally available long acting prostaglandin I2 receptor agonist with vasodilating effects. The compound recently completed phase I trials in the UK.

Under the terms of the agreement Actelion will be responsible for global development and commercialisation of NS-304 outside Japan, and the two companies will co-develop and co-commercialise the compound in Japan. No financial details were disclosed.