Astellas and RIKEN : Collaborative Research Launched to Explore Novel Drug Targets for Alzheimer’s Disease

November 8, 2011 - RIKEN Brain Science Institute and Astellas Pharma Form Strategic Alliance for New Drug Discovery -

RIKEN, Japan (President: Ryoji Noyori) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (President: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, hereafter called “Astellas”) have signed a five year joint research agreement for the purpose of “deciphering the pathogenic mechanism for and identifying novel drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease”. With the goal of conquering the social burdens of Alzheimer’s disease, synergies between the fundamental research function of RIKEN Brain Science Institute (RIKEN BSI, Director: Susumu Tonegawa) and drug discovery capabilities of Astellas will be leveraged to develop revolutionary new drugs.

1. Background

The number of patients within Japan suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is expected to rise along with the aging of the Japanese society and reach 3.25 million by the year 2020 (Source: “Everyone’s Mental Health” of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). About half of patients with dementia suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and the burden upon their families and society is heavy. Consequently, the conquering of Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage is an important issue for Japan as a medically advanced country. However at the current time there are no fundamental treatments or preventative measures that have been established, and there are only symptomatic treatments. In order to establish fundamental treatments, it is critical to fully understand the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and to translate the findings on important mechanisms into discovery of novel drugs for the disease.

Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience at the RIKEN BSI conducts research designed to acquire fundamental knowledge for mechanisms of proteolysis responsible for pathological cascade in neurodegenerative diseases that can be used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, the top priority given to Alzheimer’s disease has led to the acquisition of new information on the important causative agent (amyloid beta peptide) in July 2011... [PDF] Astellas Pharma's Press Release - RIKEN's Press Release -

CoMentis and Astellas : Alzheimer’s Disease Research at International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD)

July 28, 2008 – CoMentis, Inc. and Astellas Pharma, Inc. announced that the companies will present six abstracts related to CTS21166 (ASP1702), a beta-secretase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, at the 2008 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) in Chicago, July 26-31. CTS21166 (ASP1702) is the first of several highly selective, potent and orally active beta-secretase inhibitors being developed by CoMentis and Astellas...

...
-Single Dose Administration of the β-secretase Inhibitor CTS21166 (ASP1702) Reduces Plasma Aβ40 in Human Subjects
Poster #: P4-422

-Phase 1 Safety and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Single Doses of CTS21166 (ASP1702) in Healthy Males
Poster #: P4-454

-Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Plasma Aβ40 Reduction in Human Subjects Produced by the β-secretase Inhibitor CTS21166 (ASP1702)
Poster #: P4-455

-BACE1 Inhibitor CTS21166 (ASP1702) Penetrates Brain and Reduces Aβ Pathology in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Advanced AD
Poster #: P4-456

-Pharmacological Profile of BACE1 Inhibitor CTS21166 (ASP1702)
Poster #: P4-457

-Oral Administration of the BACE1 Inhibitor CTS21166 (ASP1702) Improves Cognition and Reduces Brain Aβ in Tg2576 Transgenic Mice
Poster #: P4-458

... CoMentis' Press Release -

Astellas and CoMentis : Agreement to Collaborate on the Research, Development and Commercialization of Beta-Secretase Inhibitors

April 25, 2008 – Astellas Pharma, Inc. and CoMentis, Inc. announced today that the companies have entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize products from CoMentis’ beta-secretase inhibitor program, including CoMentis’ lead candidate compound CTS-21166, an orally bioavailable, small-molecule beta-secretase inhibitor which is being developed as a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The agreement also includes a research collaboration to develop additional beta-secretase inhibitors... CoMentis' Press Release - [PDF] Astellas Pharma's Press Release -