Amarin to Acquire Ester Neurosciences

UK drugmaker Amarin has signed an agreement to acquire Israel’s Ester Neurosciences.

Ester’s EN101 is in Phase IIa clinical development as a treatment for myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease. The drug has been granted orphan status by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency.

Amarin will complete the study and prepare for a Phase IIb or Phase II/III study.

Preclinical studies have shown that EN101 may have potential application in other peripheral nervous system disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, Amarin said.