Janssen signs deal with rising star Forma
pharmafile | January 11, 2012 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Forma, Janssen, allianceÂ
Janssen has signed a deal with Forma Therapeutics to discover, and develop drugs that target tumour metabolism mechanisms.
Forma focuses on developing small molecule drugs which target some of the most difficult targets – tumour metabolism, epigenetics, protein/protein interactions and selected aspects of stem cell biology.
The Massachusetts-based drug discovery company is funded by four investment firms, including Lilly Ventures and Novartis Venture Funds, and has been tipped as a rising star in the field.
The deal with Janssen follows hot on the heels of a similar alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim announced on 5 January, and an innovative deal with Genentech unveiled in June last year.
The deal with Janssen will see Forma discover and develop drugs against a panel of tumour metabolism targets. Forma could earn up to $700 million if all milestones are met and drug candidates are launched through the collaboration. In addition, Forma may be eligible for royalties on revenues from products which reach the market.
Forma will also have the opportunity to co-develop and maintain North American commercial rights to one programme of Janssen’s selection if further milestones are reached. In addition, the parties can expand the collaboration to include additional targets, including areas beyond tumour metabolism.
The company says the collaboration will enable a broad chemical biology approach to understanding the unique biology underlying cancer metabolism.
“This collaboration with Janssen Biotech further strengthens our drug discovery capabilities and also allows us to look to the future with an opportunity to maintain North American rights, which is a key element of our strategy to create long-term shareholder value within Forma,” added Steven Tregay, chief executive of Forma.
Andrew McConaghie
Related Content
Janssen’s study for nipocalimab as indicated for EOS-HDFN published in The New England Journal of Medicine
Johnson & Johnson company Janssen has announced that the results from its phase 2 trial …
Inizio Engage and Nye Health form a strategic alliance to enhance patient support and outcomesÂ
 Nye Health’s digital platform will be coupled with the patient support experience available at Inizio …
GSK enters agreement for license for JNJ-3089 for development of bepirovirsen
GSK and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals have announced that they have come to an agreement with Janssen …
