Jazz Pharmaceuticals Acquires Cavion for $312.5M to Advance Neurological Disorder Therapeutics

On August 14, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that international biopharmaceutical company Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Jazz) announced the acquisition of Cavion for $312.5 million.

Cavion, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Virginia, USA, is a clinical-stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical company. The company primarily develops drugs for cancer and rare neurological disorders to improve clinical outcomes for patients.

Dr. Andrew Krouse, founder of Cavion, has developed an ion channel repair therapy targeting solid tumors, which inhibits the pathological proliferation of tumor cells through ion channel-targeted drugs. The therapy has achieved success in preclinical trials and is currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials for targeted treatment of brain cancer. Cavion aims to integrate its ion channel research technology with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies to develop novel oncology treatments.

Cavion has developed CX-8998, a therapeutic agent for neurological disorders based on T-type calcium channels (Cav3). This small-molecule Cav3 modulator is indicated for the treatment of Essential Tremor. The Cavion team has currently completed Phase II clinical trials of CX-8998, conducting a preliminary assessment of its safety and efficacy. Furthermore, the company is exploring the therapeutic potential of CX-8998 for other neurological conditions, including neuropathic pain, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and Angelman Syndrome.

Essential tremor is a common movement disorder characterized primarily by kinetic tremors of the hands, head, and other parts of the body. The disease presents with singular symptoms but follows a prolonged course and is prone to further progression. Symptoms of essential tremor tend to worsen during periods of intense concentration, emotional stress, fatigue, and hunger, which constitutes one of its typical clinical features. The pathogenesis of essential tremor remains unclear, and its tremor symptoms are easily confused with those associated with other conditions. Currently, approximately 6 million people in the United States are affected by this disorder.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2003 and headquartered in California, USA, is a global leading biopharmaceutical company. The company is dedicated to developing therapeutics for neurological disorders, helping patients alleviate the burden of disease. Jazz Pharmaceuticals employs thousands of people worldwide and was listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market in the United States in May 2007, under the ticker symbol JAZZ.

“Jazz Executive Vice President Robert Iannone stated, ‘We are pleased to support Cavion in the development of CX-8998, which is poised to become a first-line therapy for essential tremor. This acquisition will expand our company’s scale and product portfolio, providing patients with optimal treatment options.’”

Andrew Krouse stated, “Both Jazz and Cavion are deeply committed to addressing the current treatment landscape for patients with neurological disorders. We will accelerate the development of neurological therapeutics, such as CX-8998, to improve treatment outcomes and enhance patients’ quality of life.”

(Compiled by Xu Xiaoxue)