Japan-based Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma has signed a licensing agreement with U.S. pharmaceutical company Chelsea Therapeutics. Under the agreement terms, Chelsea Therapeutics will receive exclusive rights to develop and sell Dops, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma's proprietary agent, worldwide except in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan.

Dops, which is a precursor of norepinephrine, is currently available in Japan for the treatment of frozen gait and dizziness associated with Parkinson's disease, and vertigo, dizziness and fatigue associated with orthostatic hypotension in hemodialysis patients.

Chelsea Therapeutics will develop the agent as an orphan drug for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension associated with autonomic disorder, the company reported.