AstraZeneca signs deal for pain drugs from sea snails

Posted On: March 23, 2010

AstraZeneca has linked up with Australian biotechnology company Xenome to develop pain drugs derived from the venom of sea snails.

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker’s MedImmune unit has been screening Xenome’s library of 2,000 compounds for drug candidates in the area of pain management for over a year and has now obtained exclusive licences for four peptides. Financial details have not been disclosed but but the Brisbane-based firm will be eligible to receive milestone and royalty payments.

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