Radius and Karo Bio (STO: KARO) have entered into a licensing agreement wherein Radius acquires the exclusive worldwide rights (excluding the Nordic countries) to a new class of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) discovered by Karo Bio.
The SARM compounds will be brought by Radius to preclinical studies for the treatment of osteoporosis and frailty associated with muscle loss.
The terms of agreement include:
1) Karo Bio’s eligibility to receive milestones, with total milestones for development of one product totaling up to $17 million.
2)) Karo Bio receiving royalties on future sales and could also receive payments for the development of additional products targeting diseases beyond osteoporosis and sarcopenias.
SARMs are small, orally active molecules that selectively modulate the activity of the androgen receptor in different tissues.
In bone and muscle, SARMs can activate the receptors, increasing bone mineral density and muscle mass, synergistically increasing skeletal strength.
In prostate and uterus tissues, they can prevent receptor activation and so avoid the negative impact androgen therapy can have on these tissues.
IN preclinical studies conducted by Radius, the SARMs demonstrated high anabolic activity in bone and muscle, without significant stimulation of the prostate or uterus, showing potential to be the first orally administered anabolic drugs for osteoporosis and related conditions.
According to C. Richard Lyttle, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Radius:
Read more details from the full press release at Karo Bio and at Radius (a pdf file)."By building new bone while increasing muscle strength, this new class of SARMs has the potential to have a major impact on osteoporosis and frailty, which significantly impair the quality of life among the elderly.
We are excited to have the opportunity to build on Karo Bio's discoveries and expertise in the nuclear hormone receptor field and to develop this important new class of drug."
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