Ligand Expands Captisol License And Supply Deals With SAGE To Include SAGE-689

(RTTNews) - Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LGND) said that it has expanded its global license and supply agreements with SAGE Therapeutics to now also cover the use of Captisol in the development and commercialization of SAGE-689.

As per the terms of the license, Ligand received a licensing fee and will be eligible to receive potential milestone payments, tiered royalties on future net sales and revenue from Captisol material sales. SAGE will be responsible for all costs related to the program.

Captisol is a patent-protected, chemically modified cyclodextrin with a structure designed to optimize the solubility and stability of drugs. Captisol was invented and initially developed by scientists in the laboratories of Dr. Valentino Stella at the University of Kansas' Higuchi Biosciences Center for specific use in drug development and formulation. This unique technology has enabled seven FDA-approved products, including Amgen's Kyprolis, Baxter International's Nexterone and Merck's NOXAFIL IV. There are more than 40 Captisol-enabled products currently in development.