Neuropore Therapies, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Austria-based Ever Neuro Pharma, and UCB, a Brussels, Belgium-based global biopharmaceutical company, have entered into a worldwide collaboration and agreement to develop and commercialize therapeutic products aiming at slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. This includes NPT200-11, Neuropore’s novel small molecule that targets pathogenic alpha-synuclein, which currently is in preclinical development and is expected to enter clinical phase I in 2015.

"Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that results in disruption of normal movement and motor function, as well as cognitive and other life-altering symptoms," said Ismail Kola, president UCB New Medicines. "People living with Parkinson's disease need better treatment options, especially as there currently is no approved treatment that addresses a fundamental pathological mechanism in Parkinson’s disease. With Neuropore’s NPT200-11, we have the opportunity to develop a disease modifying treatment option for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies."

UCB will receive the worldwide exclusive license to develop and commercialize NPT200-11 in all indications. UCB and Neuropore will work together to complete non-clinical studies, and a first phase I study to be initiated in 2015. UCB will lead all further clinical development, regulatory activities and commercialization. Neuropore will receive an initial upfront payment of $20 million and is entitled to potential development, regulatory and sales-based milestones payments of up to $460 million, in addition to royalties on net sales.