Acadia Pharmaceuticals has secured an exclusive global licence from Saniona to develop and commercialise SAN711 for essential tremor, a neurological disorder characterised by involuntary shaking.
A new GABAA-α3 positive allosteric modulator, SAN711 will be investigated in a Phase II study for the indication in 2026.
Saniona is set to obtain an upfront payment of $28m, with the potential for up to $582m in milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales.
Saniona CEO Thomas Feldthus said: “Our collaboration with Acadia leverages their robust expertise in neuroscience development and commercialisation, positioning SAN711 as a promising option for neurological disorders while enabling us to advance several of our other valuable pipeline programs to key inflection points.
“Acadia’s commitment aligns with our mission to improve outcomes for those affected by neurological disorders, and together, we aim to expand treatment possibilities for patients in need.”
Acadia will lead the clinical development and handle activities related to regulatory submissions along with worldwide commercialisation of the therapy, while offering a financial backup for Saniona's ongoing Phase I and subsequent Phase II study preparations.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals CEO Catherine Owen Adams stated: “Licensing SAN711 to expand our pipeline underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering innovative therapies for patients with central nervous system disorders.
“Essential tremor is a condition that has not seen innovation in treatment for decades, creating a compelling opportunity to address a long-overlooked need. Our work with SAN711 will draw on our deep expertise in developing and commercialising cutting-edge treatments for neurological disorders.”
In October 2024, Saniona commenced a Phase I multiple ascending dose/biomarker trial, dosing the first patient with SAN711.
The trial is pivotal for a clinical proof-of-concept study in children with absence seizures planned for 2025. It is designed to assess SAN711's safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetics at higher doses than previously tested.
