Continuing efforts to build out its drug development pipeline, QuatRx Pharmaceuticals Co. licensed a portfolio of 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) Type I inhibitors with potential indications in endometriosis and breast cancer.
The HSD inhibitors and related technology were obtained from Solvay Pharmaceuticals, a division of Solvay SA, of Brussels, Belgium, which conducted early development work in collaboration with Turku, Finland-based Hormos Medical Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of QuatRx.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. QuatRx spokeswoman Julia Owens said the firm, which has a pending initial public offering, could not comment due to SEC-imposed quiet period rules.
QuatRx filed in February for an IPO on Nasdaq and two months later set a price range for its shares of $11 to $13. Proceeds from the offering are expected to fund clinical development, preclinical work, general corporate purposes and support potential in-licensing opportunities. (See BioWorld Today, Feb. 7, 2006.)
In its licensing agreement with Solvay, QuatRx agreed to take over all development and commercialization activities for the 17-beta HDS Type I inhibitors, which are designed to selectively block those enzymes that enhance estrogen response.
That mechanism is believed to have potential against a number of diseases affecting women, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and breast cancer, as well as enlarged prostates in men.
The company did not disclose which indication it would be pursuing first.
The HDS inhibitor program will add another endocrine portfolio to QuatRx's pipeline, which has two lead candidates in late-stage trials for hormone deficiencies.
A Phase III trial of Ospemifene, a next-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), began in January in postmenopausal women suffering vaginal atrophy due to estrogen deficiency.
Ospemifene is designed to bind to and stimulate estrogen receptors.
A second product, Fispemifene, is in Phase II testing in aging men with testosterone deficiency. That product is a selective estrogen antagonist.
QuatRx added both Ospemifene and Fispemifene to its pipeline through its May 2005 acquisition of Hormos. (See BioWorld Today, May 17, 2005.)
Earlier in development, the company has its cholesterol-lowering candidates, QRX-401, a FXR antagonist in Phase I studies, and QRX-431, which is designed to activate the thyroid beta receptor. QRX-431 is expected to start clinical testing this year.
QuatRx recently completed a Phase IIb study of becocalcidiol, a topical vitamin D analogue for mild to moderate psoriasis. Results from that study showed that becocalcidiol reduced plaque without raising blood calcium levels.
Since psoriasis falls outside the company's endocrine, metabolic and cardiovascular focus, QuatRx has said it likely would seek a partner for becocalcidiol to take over further development.