Roche, Upsher-Smith Subsidiary Partner to Develop VAP-1 Inhibitor

Swiss drug giant Roche has partnered with Upsher-Smith Laboratories’ UK subsidiary Proximagen to develop a novel, oral small molecule inhibitor of vascular adhesion protein 1.

As part of the agreement, Roche obtains a worldwide exclusive license to develop and commercialize the compound — a cell-adhesion molecule that may be effective in the treatment of inflammatory disease — currently in Phase 2 trials.

Roche will be responsible for late-stage development of the therapy and will pay undisclosed upfront and milestone payments to Proximagen.