IDN 5404 is a novel thiocolchicine dimer, selected for its cytotoxic activity in nanomolar concentrations on several human tumour cell lines and, in particular, on a tumour cell line resistant to cisplatin and topotecan. IDN 5243 is a novel muscle relaxant for the treatment of muscle-related and skeletal pain. Both molecules are approaching Phase I after having successfully completed preclinical trials. Indena has high hopes for this collaboration with Nerviano and its very advanced and flexible technological platform for the manipulation of highly potent actives — whether as APIs or as finished dosage forms.

According to Dario Bonacorsi, Indena President and CEO: "This agreement shows how Italian companies can come together to compete on the global stage with new research projects." Giampiero Duglio, CEO of Nerviano Medical Sciences added: "We are proud and eager to work on concrete projects such as the two Indena molecules; we look forward to being able to expand the collaboration to include other highly potent molecules, which could even be jointly developed by our two research centres." (www.indena.com).