Bayer signs deal with Celera on cancer targets
pharmafile | June 30, 2009 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Bayer, Celera
Bayer Schering Pharma has signed a deal with Celera to give it access to five cancer-related targets for therapeutic development and in-vivo diagnostic imaging.
California-based Celera specialises in a number of emerging areas, including identifying targets for new cancer drugs using its proteomics discovery platform.
"This agreement combines the strength of our novel proteomics target discovery platform with Bayer Schering Pharma's expertise in research and development," said Steve Ruben, vice president of proteomic research at Celera.
"We believe this new relationship with Bayer Schering Pharma allows us the flexibility to advance part of our broad pipeline of validated targets for additional future value."
Bayer Schering Pharma will pay the company a one-time fee for exclusive access to the five targets. Additional payments will be made once development and commercial milestones are reached. Celera will receive further royalties based on net sales of a product if and when a product is launched.
"This agreement allows us to expand our existing research portfolio in the area of cancer-related targets," said Prof. Khusru Asadullah, Head of Target Discovery at Bayer Schering Pharma.
"We look forward to exploring the full potential of these promising target candidates with regard to therapeutic interference for anti-tumour therapy as well as in in-vivo diagnostic imaging."
Like many other companies, Bayer is ramping up its investment in oncology, as new technologies could help advance therapies across a range of cancer types.
Bayer recently released phase I and phase II data on BAY 73-4506, its dual targeted VEGFR2-TIE2 anti-angiogenic oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).
Many of the next generation of cancer drugs currently in development are designed to hit multiple targets, and BAY 73-4506 works by inhibiting angiogenic, stromal and oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (TK).
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