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Allergan exercises option to buy antidepressant compound from Aptinyx

Allergan PLC exercised an option to buy potential depression treatment AGN-241751 from Aptinyx Inc. as part of a research collaboration agreement.

AGN-241751 is an N-methyl-D-aspartate, or NMDA, receptor modulator discovered by Aptinyx. NMDA receptors are critical for the development of the central nervous system, generation of rhythms for breathing and locomotion, and the processes underlying learning and memory.

Under the collaboration, Allergan funds a portion of the collaboration costs in exchange for options to buy a certain number of compounds for development and commercialization within certain indications. None of the molecules Aptinyx has advanced into clinical development are subject to any Allergan option right.

Evanston, Ill.-based Aptinyx was spun out from Naurex, which was acquired by Dublin-based Allergan in 2015 for $560 million. The acquisition provided Allergan ownership of rapastinel, another NMDA receptor modulator that is being tested in phase 3 studies for treating major depressive disorder.