Omeros Corp. has expanded its exclusive license of phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7) inhibitors from Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. to include addiction and compulsive disorders. Omeros believes that PDE7 inhibitors could be effective therapeutics for the treatment of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, as well as addiction and compulsive disorders.

Omeros has shown in animal models of cocaine addiction that PDE7 inhibitors reduce cocaine self-administration, inhibit relapse induced by cues and stress, and facilitate drug abstinence in previously addicted animals.

“We are pleased to announce our agreement with Daiichi Sankyo and the additional therapeutic focus of our PDE7 program,” said Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Omeros. “From the advanced Daiichi compounds we have already selected a clinical candidate, and we expect that addiction will provide us with a faster and less expensive development pathway for our PDE7 program. We are collaborating with NIDA on additional studies that will evaluate our compounds in addiction, and we look forward to working with NIDA to advance this program through the clinic.”