Eisai, Johns Hopkins University's BSI enter into licensing agreement for GCPII technology

Eisai Inc. (Headquarters: Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, Chairman and CEO: Hajime Shimizu, "Eisai") today announces that it has entered into a licensing agreement with the Johns Hopkins University's Brain Science Institute (Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland, Director: John Griffin, M.D., "BSI") related to Eisai's GCPII (glutamate carboxypeptidase II) technology.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Eisai has granted BSI non-exclusive U.S. rights to utilize Eisai's GCPII technology to generate GCPII inhibitor molecules for diseases of the central nervous system, including peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, ALS, neurodegeneration and other disorders in humans.  BSI will be responsible for the research and preclinical development activities.  Eisai will have an exclusive option to license molecules generated using the GCPII technology.

"Johns Hopkins brings significant expertise to Eisai's GCPII inhibitor project," said Lynn Kramer, M.D., President, Neuroscience Product Creation Unit at Eisai.  "Our collaboration may lead to a deeper understanding of diseases of the central nervous system and ultimately to the development of innovative new therapies to address unmet medical needs."