Licenses
Catalyst believes that it controls all current intellectual property for drugs, like CPP-109 and CPP-115, whose primary mechanism of action relates to GABA aminotransferase (GABA–AT, also known as GABA transferase or GABA–T). Catalyst acquired licenses to this intellectual property through agreements with Brookhaven National Laboratory in October 2002 and with Northwestern University in August 2009.
CPP–109
Most of the research on vigabatrin to treat addiction has emerged from work performed at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (Brookhaven). Brookhaven holds various patents relating to its research findings. Catalyst has obtained from Brookhaven an exclusive worldwide license for nine patents in the United States for all rights to use or sell vigabatrin for the treatment of addiction to cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pain medications, heroin, nicotine and other addictive drugs. Catalyst's license includes rights to Brookhaven's foreign patents or patents pending in more than 30 countries.
CPP–115
Catalyst announced on August 31, 2009, that the company executed a license agreement under which it acquired exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize novel GABA aminotransferase inhibitors and derivatives of vigabatrin discovered by Northwestern University. Under the terms of the agreement, Northwestern University granted Catalyst an exclusive worldwide license to certain composition of matter patents related to the new class of inhibitors and a patent application relating to derivatives of vigabatrin. Catalyst will be responsible for the continued research and development of any resulting product candidates. Northwestern University will receive from Catalyst an upfront payment, certain milestone payments relating to clinical development activities, and royalties on products resulting from the agreement.
What’s New
Dr. Richard B. Silverman, shown here with graduate student Hyun Lee, led the team of scientists at Northwestern University that discovered novel GABA aminotransferase inhibitors and derivatives of vigabatrin that Catalyst has licensed and is developing under the designation CPP-115. More »