Merck and Taisho Sign License Agreement for Taisho's mGluR Agonists; Compounds to be Developed and Marketed by Merck for use in Treatment of Schizophrenia.Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2002 Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that it has signed a license agreement to develop and market novel mGluR (metabotropic glutamate receptor Metabotropic glutamate receptors, or mGluRs, are a type of glutamate receptor which are active through an indirect metabotropic process. They are members of the group C family of G-protein-coupled receptors, or GPCRs. ) agonists from Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. of Japan. Merck is developing the compounds for potential use in treating diseases of the central nervous system, including schizophrenia. The license agreement gives Merck exclusive worldwide rights (ex-Japan and China) and co-exclusive rights in Japan. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. mGluR is a metabotropic glutamate receptor of which eight subtypes are currently known. Although the mechanism of action is not completely understood, scientists believe mGluR receptors may play a variety of key roles in brain pathology. The subtypes known as mGluR2 and mGluR3, for example, are related to the neurotransmission of glutamate glutamate /glu·ta·mate/ (gloo´tah-mat) a salt of glutamic acid; in biochemistry, the term is often used interchangeably with glutamic acid. glu·ta·mate n. 1. A salt of glutamic acid. in the brain. Because abnormal neurotransmission of glutamate is believed to be a factor in the pathology of schizophrenia, mGluR agonists may be potential new treatments for this disease. Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder mental disorder Any illness with a psychological origin, manifested either in symptoms of emotional distress or in abnormal behaviour. Most mental disorders can be broadly classified as either psychoses or neuroses (see neurosis; psychosis). Psychoses (e.g. characterized by loss of contact with reality, hallucinations Hallucinations Definition Hallucinations are false or distorted sensory experiences that appear to be real perceptions. These sensory impressions are generated by the mind rather than by any external stimuli, and may be seen, heard, felt, and even , delusions, abnormal thinking, and disrupted work and social functioning social functioning, n the ability of the individual to interact in the normal or usual way in society; can be used as a measure of quality of care. . A major public health problem throughout the world, schizophrenia is estimated to affect about one percent of the global population. A significant medical need exists for better treatments for schizophrenia that are more efficacious and tolerable. Many of the currently used medications are associated with side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. , such as weight gain, muscle spasm muscle spasm n. Persistent increased tension and shortness in a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be released voluntarily. muscle spasm, n , and the disease is often not controlled with currently available therapies. Schizophrenia is more prevalent than Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis, noted Bennett M. Shapiro, M.D., executive vice president for Worldwide Licensing and External Research at Merck. "Merck focuses on developing breakthrough treatments for medical problems for which we need new and better solutions. Central nervous system disorders Nervous system disorders A satisfactory classification of diseases of the nervous system should include not only the type of reaction (congenital malformation, infection, trauma, neoplasm, vascular diseases, and degenerative, metabolic, toxic, or deficiency , such as schizophrenia, are major targets for our efforts," Dr. Shapiro said. "That's why we're pleased to open this relationship with Taisho by licensing rights to these novel mGluR (metabotropic glutamate receptor) agonists." Merck & Co., Inc. is a leading research-driven pharmaceutical products and services company. Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures. |
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