Neuraly, a subsidiary of South Korean biopharmaceutical company D&D Pharmatech, has entered into a research licence and commercialisation option agreement with Enigma Biomedical USA.
The agreement focuses on PMI04, a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging biomarker developed by Neuraly to detect neuroinflammation.
Under the terms of the agreement, Enigma Biomedical USA secures an exclusive research licence for PMI04 and retains the option to negotiate rights for its commercialisation, contingent on research outcomes.
PMI04 targets Colony Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF-1R), a protein expressed in activated microglia, which are key mediators of neuroinflammatory responses. This technology aims to support the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Enigma Biomedical USA, known for its imaging biomarkers for neurological conditions, intends to focus on developing PMI04 for neurodegenerative disease assessments.
Unlike existing PET imaging solutions that target the Translocator Protein (TSPO) but are limited by specificity challenges, PMI04 is said to offer enhanced accuracy by binding exclusively to CSF-1R. This specificity allows for better correlation with microglial activity, enabling precise detection and analysis of inflammation-driven neurodegeneration.
Enigma Biomedical USA president and CEO Rick Hiatt said: “We are delighted to have been selected as a development partner by Neuraly.
“We will build on demonstrated successes with the best-in-class neuroimaging biomarkers MK-6240 (Cerveau Technologies) and NAV-4694 (Meilleur Technologies).
“We believe the Neuraly CSF-1R PET imaging biomarker has unique properties and will prove useful in developing current and future therapeutics for neurodegenerative disease. Our commitment is to expand the availability of this novel investigational imaging agent to the broader scientific community.”
The agreement outlines that if research concludes successfully, Enigma Biomedical USA will gain exclusive rights to develop and commercialise PMI04 under a separate licensing agreement. Neuraly will receive upfront and milestone payments, alongside royalties from commercial sales.
Neuraly CEO Seulki Lee said: “We hope this partnership will represent a significant step forward in providing alternatives for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We will do our utmost to ensure that PMI04 is commercialized swiftly through close collaboration with Enigma.”
Neuraly, based in Maryland, US, supports D&D Pharmatech’s clinical development programmes for neurodegenerative, metabolic, and fibrotic diseases. D&D Pharmatech has expertise in GLP-1 receptor agonist development.
