SYNOSIS TO DEVELOP DISCONTINUED ROCHE DRUGS

Biotech company Synosis will acquire five drug candidates that target the central nervous system as part of a new partnership with Roche, Synosis announced.

Roche had previously discontinued development of the drugs, four of which are in Phase I clinical trials, Synosis said. The aim of the partnership is to develop treatments for schizophrenia, cognitive disorders, Parkinson's disease, drug dependency and pain, the companies said.

Under the agreement, Synosis will be fully responsible for the clinical development of the drugs. Synosis also keeps commercial rights to three of the drug programs, and Roche can opt-in to the other two upon the completion of certain milestones, Synosis said.

The companies did not disclose financial terms of the agreement.

Synosis said it has a new approach to the central nervous system, using small clinical trials to establish proof of concept quickly. The company also uses technology typically used to diagnose diseases to instead develop new treatments to ensure the correct drug amounts are going to the correct part of the brain. The partnership with Roche validates this approach, Synosis said.