The agreement focuses on activators of KCNQ2, an ion channel that has been clinically validated as a target for the treatment of epilepsy.

Clinical findings suggest that activation of KCNQ2 channels may provide treatment options for other types of neurological disorders including rare forms of epilepsy.

Under the agreement, Neuro3 will receive a worldwide license for intellectual property covering two clinical stage and one pre-clinical stage KCNQ2 activator programs and will be responsible for their further development through clinical proof-of-concept (PoC). Following the completion of the PoC studies, Lundbeck has the option to co-develop and co-commercialize with Neuro3. In addition, Lundbeck has an option to exclusively license back the rights in certain territories.

"We are excited to further the development of these novel KCNQ2 activators. Given the critical role of KCNQ2 in maintaining brain functions and the demonstrated clinical validation of this mechanism, we look forward to evaluating the clinical benefit of these KCNQ2 activators in the treatment of various CNS diseases," said Zheng Li, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Neuro3 Therapeutics.

"We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Neuro3 that allows us to assess the clinical potential of these KCNQ2 activators by leveraging Neuro3 discovery and early development expertise in the CNS diseases," said Tarek Samad, PhD, SVP, and Global Head of Research at Lundbeck