Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. to Receive $15M Milestone Payment from Merck
Neuphoria Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEUP) announced it will receive a $15 million milestone payment from Merck following the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial for MK-1167, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator, in Alzheimer's disease dementia.
This marks the second milestone achieved in the Merck collaboration. Under the agreement, Neuphoria remains eligible for up to $450 million in additional milestone payments for development and commercial achievements, plus royalties on net sales of licensed medicines.
The Phase 2 trial (NCT06721156) will evaluate MK-1167's safety and efficacy in treating Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The milestone achievement validates Neuphoria's ion channel targeting platform, which has produced several clinical and preclinical stage drug candidates.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEUP) ha annunciato che riceverà un pagamento di milestone di 15 milioni di dollari da Merck in seguito all'avvio di una sperimentazione clinica di Fase 2 per MK-1167, un modulatore allosterico positivo del recettore colinergico α7, nella demenza di Alzheimer.
Questo segna il secondo traguardo raggiunto nella collaborazione con Merck. In base all'accordo, Neuphoria rimane idonea a ricevere fino a 450 milioni di dollari in ulteriori pagamenti di milestone per sviluppi e successi commerciali, oltre a royalties sulle vendite nette dei farmaci concessi in licenza.
La sperimentazione di Fase 2 (NCT06721156) valuterà la sicurezza e l'efficacia di MK-1167 nel trattamento dei sintomi della malattia di Alzheimer. Il raggiungimento di questo traguardo convalida la piattaforma di targeting dei canali ionici di Neuphoria, che ha prodotto diversi candidati farmaceutici in fase clinica e preclinica.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEUP) anunció que recibirá un pago por hitos de 15 millones de dólares de Merck tras el inicio de un ensayo clínico de Fase 2 para MK-1167, un modulador alostérico positivo del receptor colinérgico α7, en la demencia por enfermedad de Alzheimer.
Este es el segundo hito alcanzado en la colaboración con Merck. Según el acuerdo, Neuphoria sigue siendo elegible para recibir hasta 450 millones de dólares en pagos adicionales por hitos por logros en desarrollo y comerciales, además de regalías sobre las ventas netas de medicamentos licenciados.
El ensayo de Fase 2 (NCT06721156) evaluará la seguridad y eficacia de MK-1167 en el tratamiento de los síntomas de la enfermedad de Alzheimer. La consecución de este hito valida la plataforma de orientación de canales iónicos de Neuphoria, que ha producido varios candidatos a fármacos en etapas clínicas y preclínicas.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEUP)는 알츠하이머병 치매 치료를 위한 α7 니코틴 아세틸콜린 수용체 양성 알로스테릭 조절제 MK-1167의 2상 임상시험 시작 이후, Merck로부터 1,500만 달러의 마일스톤 지급을 받을 것이라고 발표했습니다.
이번은 Merck와의 협력에서 달성한 두 번째 마일스톤입니다. 계약에 따라 Neuphoria는 개발 및 상업적 성과에 대해 최대 4억 5천만 달러의 추가 마일스톤 지급을 받을 자격이 있으며, 라이선스가 부여된 의약품의 순매출에 대한 로열티도 포함됩니다.
2상 시험(NCT06721156)은 MK-1167의 알츠하이머병 증상 치료에 대한 안전성과 유효성을 평가할 것입니다. 이번 마일스톤 달성은 Neuphoria의 이온 채널 타겟팅 플랫폼을 검증하며, 이 플랫폼은 여러 임상 및 전임상 단계의 의약품 후보를 생산해왔습니다.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEUP) a annoncé qu'elle recevra un paiement de jalon de 15 millions de dollars de Merck suite au lancement d'un essai clinique de Phase 2 pour MK-1167, un modulateur allostérique positif du récepteur nicotinique α7, dans la démence de la maladie d'Alzheimer.
Cela marque le deuxième jalon atteint dans la collaboration avec Merck. Selon l'accord, Neuphoria reste éligible à jusqu'à 450 millions de dollars de paiements de jalons supplémentaires pour des réalisations en matière de développement et commerciales, ainsi que des redevances sur les ventes nettes des médicaments sous licence.
L'essai de Phase 2 (NCT06721156) évaluera la sécurité et l'efficacité de MK-1167 dans le traitement des symptômes de la maladie d'Alzheimer. L'atteinte de ce jalon valide la plateforme de ciblage des canaux ioniques de Neuphoria, qui a produit plusieurs candidats médicaments en phase clinique et préclinique.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEUP) gab bekannt, dass das Unternehmen eine Meilensteinzahlung von 15 Millionen Dollar von Merck erhalten wird, nachdem die Phase-2-Studie für MK-1167, einen positiven allosterischen Modulator des α7 nikotinischen Acetylcholinrezeptors, zur Behandlung von Alzheimer-Demenz gestartet wurde.
Dies ist der zweite erreichte Meilenstein in der Zusammenarbeit mit Merck. Im Rahmen der Vereinbarung bleibt Neuphoria berechtigt, bis zu 450 Millionen Dollar an zusätzlichen Meilensteinzahlungen für Entwicklungs- und kommerzielle Erfolge sowie Lizenzgebühren auf Nettoumsätze von lizenzierten Arzneimitteln zu erhalten.
Die Phase-2-Studie (NCT06721156) wird die Sicherheit und Wirksamkeit von MK-1167 bei der Behandlung von Alzheimer-Symptomen bewerten. Der Meilenstein bestätigt die Targeting-Plattform von Neuphoria für Ionenkanäle, die mehrere klinische und präklinische Arzneimittelkandidaten hervorgebracht hat.
- Received $15M milestone payment from Merck
- Phase 2 trial initiation validates company's drug development platform
- Potential for additional $450M in milestone payments
- Future royalty revenue stream from licensed medicines
- None.
Insights
The $15 million milestone payment from Merck represents a significant validation of Neuphoria's ion channel targeting platform and strengthens their financial position. This development carries several important implications for investors:
The advancement to Phase 2 trials is particularly noteworthy in the challenging field of Alzheimer's disease, where many candidates fail in early stages. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor approach represents a novel mechanism of action that differs from traditional amyloid-targeting strategies, potentially offering a complementary treatment option for managing Alzheimer's symptoms.
The milestone payment structure reveals important strategic elements:
- This is the second achieved milestone, indicating consistent progress in the Merck collaboration
- The remaining $450 million in potential milestone payments provides significant upside potential
- The inclusion of royalties on net sales offers long-term revenue potential if the drug reaches commercialization
The Merck partnership brings substantial validation to Neuphoria's platform technology. Major pharmaceutical companies typically conduct extensive due diligence before advancing programs to Phase 2, suggesting confidence in both the mechanism of action and preliminary safety data. This progression may also increase the likelihood of partnership opportunities for Neuphoria's other pipeline candidates.
From a financial perspective, the $15 million payment provides non-dilutive capital that can support Neuphoria's other development programs. In the context of their market capitalization of approximately $16 billion, while the immediate payment is modest, the validation and potential future payments represent significant value drivers.
Milestone payment triggered by the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial in Alzheimer’s disease with MK-1167, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator
BURLINGTON, Mass., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: NEUP) (Neuphoria or Company), a late-stage biotechnology developing impactful treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, bringing new hope and tangible improvements to patients’ lives, announced today that the Company is due to receive a
“We are excited to see this latest progress in our long-standing collaboration with Merck. The initiation of the Phase 2 trial validates our past joint discovery research efforts and Neuphoria’s unique ion channel targeting platform that has generated several small molecule candidates currently in clinical and preclinical stages of development.” said Spyros Papapetropoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. “This is an important milestone as we continue to evaluate the potential of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeted therapeutics to provide a much-needed treatment option for the treatment of people with neuropsychiatric disorders”.
This
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
| General Spyridon (Spyros) Papapetropoulos info@neuphoriatx.com | Investor Relations Kevin Gardner kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com | Investor Relations Chris Calabrese ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com |
About Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc.
Neuphoria (Nasdaq: NEUP) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapies that address the complex needs of individuals affected by neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuphoria is advancing its lead drug candidate, BNC210, an oral, proprietary, selective negative allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, for the acute, “as needed” treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and for chronic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). BNC210 is a first-of-its-kind, well-tolerated, broad spectrum anti-anxiety experimental therapeutic, designed to restore neurotransmitter balance in relevant brain areas, providing rapid relief from stress and anxiety symptoms without the common pitfalls of sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction. In addition, Neuphoria has a strategic partnership with Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) with two drugs in early-stage clinical trials for the treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous system conditions. Neuphoria's pipeline also includes the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor next generation and the Kv3.1/3.2 preclinical programs, both in the lead optimization development stage.
Forward -Looking Statements
Neuphoria cautions that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “potential,” “continue” or “project” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Neuphoria that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and its other reports. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Neuphoria undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in Neuphoria’s filings with the SEC, copies of which are available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and on Neuphoria’s website (www.neuphoriatx.com) under the heading “Investor Center.” All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Neuphoria expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this press release.
FAQ
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