AstraZeneca and Ardelyx have signed a worldwide exclusive licensing agreement for Ardelyx's NHE3 inhibitor programme for the treatment of complications associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The NHE3, the sodium-hydrogen antiporter 3, inhibitor programme includes the Phase 2-ready lead compound RDX5791.
The partnership will focus on developing RDX5791 for use in ESRD and CKD in addition to irritable bowel syndrome and evaluating possible development in other diseases that are a consequence of sodium and fluid overload.
AstraZeneca CVGI Innovative Medicines vice president and head Gunnar Olsson said the licensing agreement will enable the development of new medicines for people with renal complications, including those resulting from diabetes.
"With a novel mechanism of action, RDX5791 has the potential to have a major impact on how doctors treat these patients," Olsson added.
Pursuant to the agreement, AstraZeneca will make a $35m upfront payment along with the development milestones of $237.5m and milestones related to launch and commercialization besides double-digit royalties.
AstraZeneca will assume the subsequent development costs and Ardelyx will conduct Phase 2 trials.
As part of the transaction, Ardelyx has held an option to co-promote the product in the US, subject to agreed limitations. Additional financial details were kept confidential.
Ardelyx CEO Mike Raab said, "RDX5791 is our first clinical example of how our technology can be used to develop non-absorbed, small molecule therapeutics."
