Our ion channel research has formed the basis of multiple successful spinouts and several pharmaceutical partnerships.
Ion channel research has the potential to address many diseases. While Saniona is strategically focused on rare diseases, sometimes we discover molecules that may be better suited to non-rare indications. In these cases, we may pursue a partnership, such as we have with Medix and Boehringer Ingelheim, or we may spin the technology out into a separate company, such as we have with Scandion Oncology and Cephagenix. Some of our current spinouts and partnerships include:
Saniona licensed to Medix the rights to develop and commercialize tesofensine in Mexico and Argentina for general obesity, in exchange for milestone payments and double-digit royalties on product sales. A new drug application is under review.
In 2021 Novartis acquired Cadent Therapeutics, and with it CAD-1883, a first-in-class selective positive modulator of certain SK ion channels developed from a research program originating at Saniona. CAD-1883 is in Phase 2 for movement disorders, and Saniona owns roughly 3% of Cadent and is entitled to possible contingent payments related to milestones as well as future royalties on product sales.
Saniona and Boehringer Ingelheim have an ongoing research collaboration around a novel undisclosed CNS ion channel target for schizophrenia. Saniona may receive up to €76.5 million in milestone payments as well as royalties on worldwide product sales.