January 12, 2010 – Merz has licensed an innovative drug development program and related technology originated by Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The license provides Merz certain exclusive global drug development, manufacturing and marketing rights in exchange for upfront and milestone payments to Acumen as well as royalties on future product sales. The drug technology is based on Acumen’s pioneering work on the toxic ß-amyloid protein species appearing very early in dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.
As such, the technology holds great potential in the present quest for a disease-modifying Alzheimer treatment, interfering with the cause, not just the symptoms of one of the most devastating diseases. The development of such an innovative and promising approach therefore complements the successful track record established by Merz’ current anti dementia blockbuster drug, Memantine... [PDF] Acumen Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -
