GSK signs arthritis drug development collaboration
pharmafile | June 25, 2009 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing |Â Â Deals, GSKÂ
GlaxoSmithKline and Oxford-based Chroma Therapeutics are linking up to identify small molecule therapeutics in a bid to combat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
The companies will use Chroma's proprietary technology, called esterase-sensitive motif (ESM), to develop macrophage-targeted candidates.
ESM adds amino acid esters to compounds to target specific cells in the inflammatory disease process.
The biotechnology company believes the platform could be used to treat a variety of serious diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetes. Beyond their HDAC inhibitor programme for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, GSK's Centre of Excellence for External Drug Discovery (CEEDD) and Chroma will also undertake three more research programmes.
"We believe Chroma's ESM platform has tremendous potential," said Shelagh Wilson, head of GSK's European CEEDD.
The company's deal will see Chroma lead research and development with GSK picking up the candidates it deems viable through an exclusive, worldwide licence.
GSK will then develop and commercialise them, with Chroma retaining full rights to those the manufacturer does not want.
Chroma could receive more than $1 billion as part of the deal, assuming the quartet of projects is successful.
This figure is made up of "significant" up-front cash and milestone payments, with option fees and tiered royalties on the compounds that work.
"This collaboration provides strong validation of our technology platform," said Chroma chief executive Ian Nicholson.
He added that it would "enable Chroma to progress a broad pipeline of novel agents against a range of serious diseases".
GSK has also made a "significant investment" in Chroma's latest round of equity financing.
The company has just raised £15 million in funds which it will use in part to develop its aminopeptidase inhibitor tosedostat (CHR-2797) into late-stage clinical studies in cancer. Its backers included Nomura Phase4 Ventures and The Wellcome Trust.
Nicholson said: "In the three years since its previous financing, Chroma has built a strong and broad pipeline of first-in-class and best-in-class oncology product candidates."
The agreement with Chroma is the latest in what GSK calls its "continued efforts to access the best science and technology platforms worldwide".
In a busy first half of 2009, GSK has pooled its HIV portfolio with that of Pfizer, and signed deals with both generics manufacturer Dr Reddy's and Chinese company Shenzhen Neptunus.
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