Vernalis to take back A2A antagonist depression rights from Roche

Biopharmaceutical company Vernalis Group has terminated Roche's option over Vernalis' adenosine A2A antagonist research programme in depression.

This means that Vernalis now has complete control over its A2A antagonist research programmes, which are targeting a range of indications including Parkinson's disease and depression.

The most advanced compound in Vernalis's A2A portfolio is VR 2006, which is being developed as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease. This compound has now successfully completed its preclinical safety programme and, subject to the appointment of a partner, is scheduled to begin Phase I clinical trials later this year.

According to Peter Worrall, finance director, the announcement clears the way for Vernalis to talk to other potential partners, a number of whom have already expressed interest in licensing all of the company's A2A antagonist programmes, in order to secure the funding necessary to progress these promising compounds into clinical development.

'Our A2A antagonist programmes have made rapid progress over the last 12 months both with VR 2006 and in depression, where we are on track to select the first clinical development candidate by the end of the year,' he said. 'We do not intend to take either of these compounds into clinical development without additional external funding.'