VistaGen and Sanwa Renew Embryonic Stem Cell Partnership to Treat Diabetes

VistaGen Therapeutics and Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho have renewed their partnership, which represents the first collaborative pharmaceutical application of embryonic stem cells to discover novel therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes, according to the VistaGen.

This strategic partnership comes after a successful initial phase of the collaboration, in which VistaGen received an equity investment from Sanwa as well as technology access and license fees.

VistaGen will apply its embryonic stem cell technologies to discover biological molecules, growth factors, and drug targets related to beta-islet cell growth and insulin production. Sanwa will use VistaGen’s customized stem cell-based assays to screen its compound libraries for new drug candidates for treatment of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Under the renewed agreement, VistaGen will receive additional funded research payments, downstream milestone payments, and royalties on product sales. VistaGen also will retain commercial rights for certain new drug candidates and intellectual property developed during the collaboration.