Pharmaplaz in deal with Samaritan

Las Vegas-based drug company Samaritan Pharma has teamed up with Irish healthcare company Pharmaplaz to develop a HIV inhibitor in a $10 million (€7.4m) deal.

Samaritan is to receive $10m upfront in two tranches. The first funding of $1.4m was received by Samaritan, and a remaining $8.6m is payable on September 16, 2007.

Pharmaplaz will be responsible for clinical development, clinical trial costs and manufacturing.