Janssen gains MDD compound CERC-501 from Cerecor

Cerecor Inc. (NASDAQ:CERC) divested its CERC-501 to the Janssen Biotech Inc. unit of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) for $25 million and up to $20 million in regulatory milestones. Janssen will assume responsibility for ongoing clinical trials and will be responsible for development and commercialization of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR; OPRK1) antagonist. Janssen said the compound has the potential to treat severe mood disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it will begin Phase II testing in 2018. Janssen declined to disclose additional details. Cerecor did not respond to inquiries.

In 2015, Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY) granted Cerecor exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize CERC-501 (see BioCentury March 9, 2015). ...