Specialised Therapeutics (ST) has entered into a licensing agreement with Dutch biotech company Treeway for TW001, designed for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

An oral formulation of edaravone, TW001 lowers the oxidative damage associated with neuron death in ALS, which is said to be the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).

As part of the deal, ST will be responsible for all activities related to marketing, regulatory and distribution of TW001 in Australia and New Zealand.

Specialised Therapeutics CEO Carlo Montagner said that TW001 was the first central nervous system therapy to be included in its therapeutic portfolio.

“We are delighted to partner with Treeway as this promising treatment progresses through the final stages of the pivotal global registration ADORE study.

“We look forward to working with the wider MND community, who are determined to access new therapies to treat this terrible disease.”

The ADORE Phase III registration study is evaluating TW001 across 40 sites across the globe.

Treeway CEO Inez de Greef said: “This important therapy has shown very encouraging results in all studies to date.

“We look forward to further results from the ADORE study and then working with ST to make our therapy available for all eligible patients in Australia and New Zealand who may benefit.

“ST is focussing on bringing new therapies to the market for diseases with a high medical need and therefore ST fits well as a licensing partner for Treeway.”

ST is also engaged in developing various therapeutics in ophthalmology, neurology, haematology, oncology, and supportive care.