Two pharmaceutical companies are teaming up in an effort to bring medications to treat autism and intellectual disability to market sooner.

In a deal announced Tuesday, Swiss drug maker Roche plans to partner with Massachusetts-based Seaside Therapeutics, a private company that’s already conducting clinical trials of a drug designed to address behavioral issues in those with fragile X syndrome and autism.

Fragile X is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and many with the condition have autism as well. Accordingly, scientists believe that treatment for fragile X could yield significant progress in addressing autism and intellectual disability too.

Under the deal, Roche will get access to patents held by Seaside, a move that may give the company an edge over rival drug maker Novartis which is considered to be farther along in development of such medications.

Scientists at Roche told The New York Times that the partnership will “establish the biggest effort to date” to develop autism drugs. To read more click here.

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