Zealand Pharma Earns Wyeth Milestone

Zealand Pharma received an undisclosed milestone payment from Wyeth for the advancement of an orally available gap junction modifier ZP1609 (GAP-134) into Phase I trials in the U.S.

This is the second gap junction modifier in clinical trials developed by the two companies. ZP1609 has shown pharmacological effects in animal models of both ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, and with its oral formulation, the molecule represents a novel example for the potential prevention of cardiac arrhythmias, according to the companies. In the heart, gap junctions are responsible for conducting electrical impulses between cells to maintain the heart’s normal rhythm. Gap junction modulation is considered a promising mechanism of action for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

The two companies entered into a development and license agreement in 2003 to develop gap junction modifiers for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Since then the companies signed two expanded R&D agreements. Under the 2005 agreement, Wyeth was granted rights to the Zealand compound library for novel compounds with potential gap junction modifying properties and from this library ZP1609 was identified.