NeuroVive Pharmaceutical acquires minority stake in Isomerase Therapeutics

Isomerase discovers and develops molecules that target peptidyl-prolyl isomerases including cyclophilins.

The acquisition intends to further improve the collaboration between the firms and speed up NeuroVive’s research and development (R&D) program.

The collaboration will support the discovery of new compounds, depending on the additional expertise Isomerase brings to the alliance.

NeuroVive Pharmaceutical CEO Jan Nilsson "Through our collaboration with Isomerase, our discovery platform for complex I deficiency has already seen advancements through the generation of new molecules and we expect to further progress this project as the aim is to select a drug candidate for preclinical development in 2016."

The acquisition is expected to allow NeuroVive to access future returns on Isomerase’s new drug discovery technologies and its own early stage in-house drug discovery projects.

Mitochondrial medicine firm NeuroVive will acquire an additional 5% interest in Isomerase later this year.

NeuroVive’s portfolio includes two clinical projects in acute kidney injury and traumatic brain injury with candidates in clinical and preclinical development and two drug discovery platforms.

NeuroSTAT has orphan drug status in the US and Europe to treat moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. It is currently being evaluated in a phase II study.

CicloMulsion is being evaluated in an ongoing phase II trial in acute kidney injury during major surgery.

Image: NeuroVive Pharmaceutical has acquired a 5% stake in Isomerase Therapeutics. Photo: courtesy of adamr/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.