Cenomed BioSciences has acquired rights to three compounds from TorreyPines Therapeutics for chemical defense and counterterrorism defense: phenserine, Posiphen™, and bisnorcymcerine. TorreyPines will receive milestone and royalty payments.
The company plans to prepare these compounds to prevent toxicity following exposure to chemical organophosphorus nerve agents including the chemical warfare agents sarin, soman, tabun, and VX. The candidates have the potential to restore inactivated muscle cells and neural cells throughout the body, according to the companies.
Phenserine and Posiphen have reportedly been proven safe and well tolerated following oral administration in clinical trials, while bisnorcymcerine has completed preclinical evaluation.