Graffinity merges with MyoContract
Functional genomics and metabolic company Graffinity (Heidelberg, Germany) merged in an all share deal with musculoskeletal and metabolic company MyoContract (Liestal, Switzerland). The merged company, Santhera Pharmaceuticals, is based in Basel, Switzerland, with R&D operations in Liestal and Heidelberg.
Graffinity brings to the merged company an integrated drug discovery platform, which it offers on a fee-for-service basis, and two preclinical programs including a DPP-IV inhibitor program to treat diabetes. MyoContract provides an undisclosed Phase II compound to treat an inherited neuromuscular disease. The compound is expected to enter Phase III studies by early next year. MyoContract also has two preclinical programs: calpain inhibitors to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and an orally available melanocortin-4 (MC-4) receptor antagonist program to treat cachexia. ...