June 30, 2021

Taisho and Ancora Bio sign exclusive license agreement for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of selective vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist, TS-121, worldwide

Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Taisho;" headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shigeru Uehara) has announced that Taisho and Ancora Bio Inc. ("Ancora;" headquarters: Oakland (U.S.A.), President: Ilan Zipkin) signed an exclusive license agreement for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of Taisho's selective vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist, TS-121, worldwide, to treat depression.

Under the terms of the agreement, Taisho will receive from Ancora an upfront payment, development milestone payments, commercial milestone payments (based on annual net sales) and running royalties.

Vasopressin is a neuropeptide which plays a fundamental role in mediating the stress response and studies have suggested that vasopressin is associated with depression, including involvement in the abnormal stress responses observed in depression patients. TS-121 can potentially be effective for the treatment of depression because it blocks the signaling of the vasopressin V​1b receptors which are involved in the vasopressin-mediated stress response.

Ancora is a new company formed by Aditum Bio ("Aditum Bio;" headquarters: Oakland (U.S.A.); Managing Director: Joe Jimenez) for the purpose of developing TS-121. Aditum Bio will provide funding to Ancora. For more information about Aditum Bio, visit Aditum Bio's website (https://www.aditumbio.com/).