Alkermes to acquire Boston-based neuroscience company Rodin Therapeutics

Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics : Irish biopharma company Alkermes has agreed to acquire Boston-based neuroscience company Rodin Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $950 million as per the latest pharma acquisition news.

Rodin Therapeutics is engaged in developing novel, small molecules for the treatment of synaptopathies.

Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics is said to consolidate on the former’s experience in central nervous system diseases (CNS diseases) while expanding its CNS development efforts into a wide variety of neurodegenerative disorders.

Rodin Therapeutics has been developing orally-available, brain-permeable therapeutics for the treatment of synaptopathies by designing molecules that target particular histone deacetylase (HDAC) complexes.

Through the selective inhibition of the HDAC−co-repressor of repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (CoREST) complex, neuronal gene expression is expected to be reactivated, thereby strengthening existing synapses. The process will also help in creation of new synapses, while minimizing known class-based hematologic safety concerns, said Alkermes.

Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics. Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Rodin Therapeutics is said to have shown strong prosynaptic effects with development candidates across various preclinical models. Selective inhibition of the HDAC-CoREST complex in the models led to an increased spine density and synaptic proteins, while boosting long-term potentiation at doses that may pave way for chronic treatment.

Commenting on Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics, Adam Rosenberg – CEO of Rodin Therapeutics, said: “Rodin’s targeted approach to strengthening synaptic integrity is backed by a robust translational strategy and may have potential across multiple diseases which are characterized by impaired neuronal and synaptic function.

“With its proven ability to develop novel medicines for the treatment of CNS disorders, we believe Alkermes is ideally suited to advance this exciting new approach to neurologic diseases and bring potential new treatment options to patients that may benefit from Rodin’s synaptogenic platform.”

Alkermes plans to move forward the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling activities for Rodin Therapeutics’ lead preclinical assets. The Irish pharma company also intends to continue the preclinical research program of Rodin Therapeutics, which is focused on the subset of frontotemporal dementia patients with an inherited mutation of the progranulin gene (FTD-GRN) and exploratory work in hematological diseases and oncology.

Richard Pops – CEO of Alkermes, commenting on Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics, said: “Building on our broad experience in psychiatry, we believe this transaction will allow us to explore a wide array of neurodegenerative diseases and synaptopathies, which have been areas of significant interest to us as we have advanced our internal pipeline of medicines for CNS disorders.

“HDAC inhibitors are powerful epigenetic regulators that have therapeutic potential to address some of the most disruptive clinical symptoms that accompany neurogenerative diseases.”

As per the terms of Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics, the latter will get an upfront cash payment of $100 million at the closing of the deal. The US biotech company will also be entitled to get future payments of up to $850 million subject to its development candidates achieving certain specified clinical and regulatory milestones, and meeting certain sales thresholds.

Alkermes acquisition of Rodin Therapeutics is likely to be completed by the month-end.