Shasun Pharmaceuticals and Debiopharm Group entered into a licensing agreement for the manufacturing and commercialization of Huperzine-A, which is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Clinical studies with the product, which is commercially available through Shasun, have shown a significant improvement in memory deficit and cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, according to officials at both firms.
According to the terms of the agreement, Shasun will be able to use the Debiopharm technology for the manufacture of synthetic Huperzine-A under GMP quality conditions and commercialize it in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets.
The manufacturing technology involves a 10-stage chemical synthesis process, including a complex chiral organometallic step as a key transformation of the Huperzine-A structure. The synthesis is a result of a joint collaboration between Shasun’s research centers in Chennai and the U.K.
“We are very proud of this achievement, resulting from a very close collaboration with Debiopharm. It underlines our commitment to delivering cutting-edge science in all our processes through our global research and development network,” said Michel Spagnol, Ph.D., president of Shasun Pharmaceuticals.
