Boehringer Ingelheim, Arena Pharmaceuticals to research schizophrenia drug candidates

Boehringer Ingelheim and Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently announced they have entered an executive agreement to conduct research to identify drug candidates targeting a G protein-coupled receptor belonging to the group of orphan central nervous system receptors.

“This agreement reflects our new corporate focus to enter into collaboration opportunities at various stages of development,” Harry F. Hixson, Jr., PhD, interim CEO at Arena Pharmaceuticals, said in a press release. “Collaborations are an essential part of our drug discovery and development efforts, so we are pleased to be part of this shared goal to identify novel drugs targeting an orphan [central nervous system] receptor with Boehringer Ingelheim, who possesses demonstrated capabilities in research, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products.”

Arena will provide Boehringer Ingelheim with exclusive rights to its internally discovered compounds and intellectual property for an orphan central nervous system receptor.

Both companies will conduct research to identify additional drug candidates that warrant continued research and development as therapeutic compounds for various diseases.

Under the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim received exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize products that result from the collaboration.

Arena is eligible to receive payments up to $262 million in success milestones of full commercial success of multiple drug products, including an upfront payment and research funding. Additionally, Arena is eligible to receive tiered royalties on future sales of products resulting from the collaboration.

“Together with our research partners in neuroscience, we are targeting brain circuits underlying major untreated symptom domains in our [central nervous system] focus areas of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and depression. We are delighted to enter into this new collaboration with Arena, who have recognized expertise in orphan [central nervous system] [G protein-coupled receptor] drug discovery and development,” Clive R. Wood, PhD, corporate senior vice president and head of discovery research at Boehringer Ingelheim, said in the release. “We believe that this alliance with Arena will allow us to deliver innovative, new medicines for the treatment of patients with psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and contribute to our vision of helping the millions of people with mental illness, to live fuller, more independent lives, for longer.”