Our goal is to become a leader in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs that selectively target neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNRs) in order to treat diseases and disorders for which there are significant medical needs and commercial potential. We intend to collaborate further where it will help us achieve our goal.

Partnering Strategy

Our strategy involves selective partnering with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to assist us in the development and commercialization of our product candidates. We seek generally to identify and enter into third-party arrangements for target indications in which our collaborator has particular expertise or that involve a large, primary care market that requires large sales and marketing organizations. In entering into these arrangements, our goal will generally be to retain significant value by maintaining co-promotion or co-commercialization rights in the United States and, in some cases, other markets.

In July 2007, Targacept and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced a strategic alliance to discover, develop and market novel therapeutics that selectively target specified neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNRs).  TC-6499, our product candidate for neuropathic pain, is subject to the alliance.  We have retained an option to co-promote TC-6499 for pain to specialists and hospital-based physicians in the United States. Leveraging our more than 20 years of focused research in the NNR field, the alliance provides GSK with access to our programs in five therapeutic focus areas -- pain, smoking cessation, obesity, addiction and Parkinson’s disease.

In December 2005, we entered into a collaborative research and license agreement with AstraZeneca for the development and worldwide commercialization of AZD3480 (TC-1734) as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia and potentially other conditions marked by cognitive impairment.   Under the agreement, we and AstraZeneca are also conducting a multi-year research collaboration designed to discover and develop additional compounds that, like AZD3480 (TC-1734), act on the α4β2 NNR.  Under the agreement, we have the option to co-promote AZD3480 (TC-1734) and any compound that is selected for advancement arising out of the research collaboration to specified classes of specialist physicians in the United States.

Our collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca also includes a mechanism pursuant to which we have the right to offer to AstraZeneca a license under the terms of the agreement to compounds that act on other NNR subtypes for the indications for which AstraZeneca has development and commercialization rights under the agreement.  We triggered the mechanism for TC-5619 and, in November 2007, AstraZeneca elected to secure a future option for an exclusive license to TC-5619.

We are receptive to inquiries regarding potential alliances or collaborations with respect to our product candidates in development for depression and anxiety disorders and our inflammation program.

Business Development Contact Information

If you are interested in partnership opportunities regarding Targacept programs or wish to inform us of your in-licensing opportunities, please contact us at:
BusinessDevelopment@targacept.com
(336) 480-2285 (fax)