Domain Therapeutics, a French biopharmaceutical company, has granted Switzerland–based Prexton Therapeutics an exclusive option to license and develop metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) Positive Allosteric Modulator (PAM) drugs targeting Parkinson’s disease.

The chemical series was previously developed through a licensing and collaboration agreement signed between Domain and Merck Serono, a division of Merck, in January 2011. This agreement between Domain Therapeutics and Prexton Therapeutics—a spin-off company of Merck Serono formed around its R&D portfolio in the field of Parkinson’s disease—follows a strategic decision from Merck Serono to focus its research efforts on certain diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and immune-mediated diseases.

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with former seasoned scientists of Merck Serono, who had been involved in this mGluR4 PAM project within Merck Serono,” said Pascal Neuville, CEO of Domain Therapeutics. “We are very confident that this newly founded company with a unique focus on mGluRs for neurodegenerative diseases will be the best partner to drive the project to an Investigational New Drug (IND) stage and then ensure its clinical development.”

Francois Conquet, CEO of Prexton Therapeutics, said, “I had the opportunity to follow Domain’s mGluR4 PAM compounds and I am very glad that we can benefit from the collaborative work led by Domain and Merck Serono. This license option agreement clearly strengthens Prexton’s franchise in the business of mGluR drugs.”