Indivior said on Tuesday that it has teamed up with French biotechnology group Aelis to advance the clinical development of a treatment for cannabis use disorder.
The company, which makes opioid addiction treatment Suboxone, among other things, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Aelis that includes an exclusive option and license agreement for the global rights to AEF0117, an experimental drug developed by Aelis’ which inhibits a type of cannabinoid receptor.
Under the agreement, Indivior will pay an initial $30m to Aelis to secure an exclusive global option for AEF0117. Indivior noted that in clinical Phase 1 studies, AEF0117 has shown “promising safety and tolerability signals”.
Chief executive officer Mark Crossley said: “Our heritage and focus is helping address unmet needs for people struggling with substance use disorders.
“Increasing prevalence of cannabis from the growing movement to legalise medical and recreational marijuana use is leading to greater concern for the potential of adverse outcomes, including elevated addiction risk. Cannabis is the most commonly used substance of abuse in the US after alcohol and tobacco; however, we have no FDA-approved medications for cannabis-related disorders, which are complex and concerning.
“AEF0117 is the most advanced new chemical entity under investigation in the clinic and potentially represents a unique opportunity to address a growing unmet public health need.”
