GsMTx-4 was originally identified in tarantula venom by researchers at the State University of New York and was found to inhibit mechanosensitive calcium channels.
The agent is a patented new molecular entity, which has been granted Orphan drug designation by the US Food and Drug Administration.
University of Geneva Department of Pharmacology Dr Urs Ruegg said: "We know that limiting calcium influx has the potential to slow disease progression. As GsMTx-4 is a blocker of stretch-activated channels, it has the potential to help restore this homeostasis through modulation of these channels."
The agreement allows Akashi Therapeutics to own global rights to the compound, including intellectual property and commercialization rights. It will also be responsible for all ongoing development costs.
Tonus will be eligible to receive potential milestones and royalties on future sales of any resulting DMD products.
Akashi Therapeutics CEO Marc B. Blaustein said: "We are pleased to add GsMTx-4 to our growing pipeline, which includes HT-100, our most advanced drug candidate, currently being evaluated in patients with DMD in phase 1a/2b clinical studies, and DT-200, a clinical-stage selective androgen receptor modulator."