NeuroCycle Therapeutics gets acquired by San Diego-based Engrail Therapeutics to strengthens Engrail’s presence in the GABA-A
18.08.2021
Beginning 2021, Engrail Therapeutics™ (Engrail) - forging a new direction to reduce the enormous burden of diseases that impact the nervous system - announced that it has acquired NeuroCycle Therapeutics, a company focused on sub-type selective GABA-A modulation. The acquisition strengthens Engrail’s presence in the GABA-A space and provides a strong platform for the initiation of clinical trials with multiple assets in 2021.
 |
 |
“Our flexible transaction model and science-first approach allow us to acquire high-quality assets with a lower-risk path to the market where significant patient need still exists,” said Vikram Sudarsan, Ph.D., CEO, and president, Engrail Therapeutics. “We combine a comprehensive view of clinical development strategy, regulatory considerations, and intellectual property to find differentiated assets with validated mechanisms of action. GABA-A is a well-validated target and modulators of this receptor have therapeutic effects across a broad range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. We now have multiple sub-type selective GABA-A modulators with strong profiles and look forward to rapidly advancing development.”
Dr. Sudarsan continued, “We remain committed to building a leading, patient-centric neuroscience company with a growing pipeline through licensing, co-development, and acquisitions. Our goal is to build a diverse pipeline of neuroscience therapeutics over the next several years, and the acquisition of NeuroCycle represents another important step on this path. We expect 2021 to be a busy year as we consider additional transactions to expand our portfolio.”
Last February, Engrail acquired Venture Kick Alumni and Zurich-based company NeuroCycle Therapeutics, founded in 2016 by Jed Hubbs. Neurocycle Therapeutics is developing drugs that regulate neuron signaling. Their lead candidate NCT-10004 is being developed for the treatment of itch in people and dogs. In addition, they have drug discovery programs in pain and orphan epilepsies. NeuroCycle focused on selectively targeting specific GABA-A receptor subtypes to treat these diseases related to central sensitization.
Jed Hubbs, Ph.D., CEO and president, NeuroCycle Therapeutics said, “We believe Engrail represents the ideal company to carry on the work NeuroCycle started given their focus and experience in the GABA-A space. We look forward to seeing them bring novel medicines to patients that need them.”
Dr. Sudarsan continued, “We remain committed to building a leading, patient-centric neuroscience company with a growing pipeline through licensing, co-development, and acquisitions. Our goal is to build a diverse pipeline of neuroscience therapeutics over the next several years, and the acquisition of NeuroCycle represents another important step on this path. We expect 2021 to be a busy year as we consider additional transactions to expand our portfolio.”
Last February, Engrail acquired Venture Kick Alumni and Zurich-based company NeuroCycle Therapeutics, founded in 2016 by Jed Hubbs. Neurocycle Therapeutics is developing drugs that regulate neuron signaling. Their lead candidate NCT-10004 is being developed for the treatment of itch in people and dogs. In addition, they have drug discovery programs in pain and orphan epilepsies. NeuroCycle focused on selectively targeting specific GABA-A receptor subtypes to treat these diseases related to central sensitization.
Jed Hubbs, Ph.D., CEO and president, NeuroCycle Therapeutics said, “We believe Engrail represents the ideal company to carry on the work NeuroCycle started given their focus and experience in the GABA-A space. We look forward to seeing them bring novel medicines to patients that need them.”