USA – Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system disorders, acquired CerSci Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company with worldwide rights to a portfolio of novel compounds for neurological conditions, including non-opioid therapies for acute and chronic pain.
Under the terms of the agreement, Acadia acquired all of the outstanding shares of CerSci for $52.5m, primarily in Acadia stock. The transaction closed on August 24, 2020. CerSci shareholders may also receive up to $887 million in development, commercialization, and sales milestones in addition to tiered royalties in the mid-single digits based on annual net sales. Led by Lucas Rodriguez, CEO and co-founder, CerSci is advancing a Reactive Species Decomposition Accelerant (RSDAx), a first-in-class mechanism focused on interrupting pathways that sensitize neurons to pain. The portfolio contains additional preclinical stage molecules, including brain penetrant molecules, with potential for symptomatic and disease modifying treatment utility in neurodegenerative diseases. The acquisition strengthens Acadia’s clinical pipeline to include non-opioid pain therapies that have potential non-addictive properties and reduced side effects typically seen with current opioid treatments. The lead molecule, ACP-044, has shown promising efficacy and safety results in animal models evaluating incisional, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain, as well as favorable tolerability and pharmacokinetic properties in Phase 1 trials. The novel RSDAx mechanism of action is thought to interfere with multiple pain pathways treating pain simultaneously. ACADIA plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in the first half of 2021.Led by Steve Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Acadia is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system disorders. Acadia has developed and commercialized a medicine approved for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Its development efforts are focused on pimavanserin for additional neuropsychiatric conditions, trofinetide for Rett syndrome, ACP-044 for pain management and an early-stage muscarinic receptor program. ACADIA submitted a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for pimavanserin for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with dementia-related psychosis on June 3, 2020. The FDA has accepted for filing the sNDA for DRP with a PDUFA date of April 3, 2021. Pimavanserin is not approved for dementia-related psychosis.31/08/2020
