ACADIA Pharmaceuticals to Receive Funding from Fast Forward and EMD Serono for Multiple Sclerosis Program
Award Will Advance ACADIA’s Selective ER-Beta Agonist as a
Potential New Neuroprotective MS Therapy through Collaborative Research
with UCLA
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company
focused on innovative treatments that address unmet medical needs in
neurological and related central nervous system disorders, today
announced that it will receive funding from Fast Forward, LLC, a
not-for-profit organization established by the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, and EMD Serono, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA,
Darmstadt, Germany. This funding will support ACADIA research, to be
conducted in collaboration with Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl of UCLA, directed at
using AC-186, ACADIA’s proprietary and selective estrogen receptor
(ER)-beta agonist, as a new approach to the treatment of multiple
sclerosis (MS).
“We are grateful for the commitment by Fast Forward and EMD Serono,
which will enable us to expand on promising research in our ER-beta
program and broaden its application to MS,” said Uli Hacksell, Ph.D.,
ACADIA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We also are excited to collaborate on
this research with Dr. Voskuhl, Professor and Program Director at the
UCLA Department of Neurology, who is a recognized expert in MS and
neuroprotection.”
Currently, there are multiple immunology-based, disease-modifying drugs
approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. In contrast, no
drug is currently approved for the treatment of progressive forms of MS
and no currently available drugs were developed to specifically target
neurodegeneration in MS. A new MS drug with neuroprotective properties
would fill this major unmet medical need. Studies in animal models of MS
suggest that selective ER-beta receptor agonists provide neuroprotective
effects while avoiding stimulation of ER-alpha receptors, which are
believed to mediate toxicity. In this new program, AC-186, a selective
ER-beta agonist discovered by ACADIA, will be evaluated to further test
this hypothesis.
Fast Forward and EMD Serono will provide up to $545,000 to support
preclinical studies with AC-186 designed to further evaluate
pharmacokinetics and its therapeutic potential in preclinical models of
MS. This funding will be provided by the parties’ Accelerating
Commercial Development Fund, which is allocated to for-profit
entities and is designed to accelerate the development of research
discoveries into new or improved therapies for people with MS.
“We are pleased to partner with ACADIA and UCLA on this innovative
approach to targeting MS neurodegeneration,” said Dr. Timothy Coetzee,
Chief Research Officer at the National MS Society and Fast Forward.
“This is another example of our steadfast commitment to seek out and
support promising new therapeutic approaches that address critical unmet
needs and could improve the lives of patients with MS.”
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the
central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling
neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that approximately
two million people have MS worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most
common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in
the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing
forms of MS are the most common.
About Fast Forward, LLC
Fast Forward, LLC, established by the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society as part of a comprehensive approach to MS research and
treatment, focuses on speeding promising research discoveries towards
commercial drug development. Fast Forward accelerates the development of
treatments for MS by connecting university-based MS research with
private-sector drug development and by funding small
biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies to develop innovative new MS
therapies and repurpose FDA-approved drugs as new treatments for MS. For
more information, please visit www.fastforward.org.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected
by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy,
facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations
around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help
people with MS and their families move their lives forward. The Society
is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org.
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA is a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative treatments
that address unmet medical needs in neurological and related central
nervous system disorders. ACADIA has a pipeline of product candidates
led by pimavanserin, which is in Phase III development as a potential
first-in-class treatment for Parkinson's disease psychosis. ACADIA also
has clinical-stage programs for chronic pain and glaucoma in
collaboration with Allergan, Inc. and two advanced preclinical programs
directed at Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. All
product candidates are small molecules that emanate from discoveries
made at ACADIA. ACADIA maintains a website at www.acadia-pharm.com
to which ACADIA regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as
additional information and through which interested parties can
subscribe to receive email alerts.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in
nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are
not limited to statements related to the progress and timing of ACADIA’s
drug discovery and development programs, either alone or with a partner,
the potential of and the benefits to be derived from product candidates,
in each case including AC-186, and, specifically, the neuroprotective
benefits of AC-186 for MS patients, the expansion or broadening of
ACADIA’s ER-beta program and the monies to be received to support the
development of AC-186. These statements are only predictions based on
current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those
projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including
the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery, development and
commercialization, and collaborations with others, and the fact that
past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of future trial
results. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to
ACADIA’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011
as well as ACADIA’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This
caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements
are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ACADIA
undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as
required by law.