Astellas, Cytokinetics enter $450m muscle collaboration

Astellas Pharma has entered into a $450 million collaboration with Cytokinetics that will focus on the research, development and commercialization of skeletal muscle activators.

The main objective of this new collaboration is to advance novel therapies for diseases and medical conditions associated with muscle weakness. Both parties will conduct research in the area of skeletal muscle activation. The two companies expect to collaborate for approximately two years.

"We are pleased to enter into this collaboration with Astellas, which will enable us to expand our research and development in the area of skeletal muscle activators. Through this collaboration, we intend to jointly investigate the potential role that CK-2127107 and follow-on skeletal muscle activators can play in providing functional improvements in patients with diseases characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. We are impressed with Astellas' strategic vision and capabilities in the areas of novel mechanism biopharmaceutical research and development."

Cytokinetics' President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert I. Blum.

Under terms of the agreement, Astellas will have the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize any drug candidates that arise from this partnership. In addition, Cytokinetics has granted Astellas an exclusive license to co-develop and commercialize Cytokinetics' drug candidate CK-2127107 in certain indications. CK-2127107 is a fast skeletal troponin activator drug candidate, for potential application in non-neuromuscular indications. It's currently being evaluated in phase 1 clinical trials.