Astex Pharmaceuticals has secured an exclusive, worldwide research collaboration and licensing deal with Genentech. The commercial tie-up aims to identify novel small molecule drug candidates designed to inhibit specific cell-cycle targets linked to breast cancer. Genentech is a member company of the Roche Group.
The financial framework of the transaction involves an upfront cash payment of $25 million to Astex. The Cambridge-based firm is also eligible to receive subsequent funding tied to the successful completion of preclinical, clinical, regulatory and sales milestones. These combined milestone components could reach a total value of more than $490 million. Astex will also receive tiered royalties on any future net sales of medicines developed through the joint initiative.
Under the operational terms, Astex will grant an exclusive global license to compounds originating from its existing breast cancer discovery programme. The two firms will work together to speed up the refinement and development of lead compounds to establish viable preclinical candidates. Once candidates are identified, Genentech will assume sole responsibility for all global preclinical and clinical development work. Genentech will also manage the international commercialisation of all therapies produced by the alliance.
The discovery programme managed by Astex grew out of an earlier research project set up through its strategic alliance agreement with Newcastle University and Cancer Research Horizons. Astex focuses its corporate research on discovering and developing small molecule therapies for oncology and diseases affecting the central nervous system.
“Working together with colleagues from Newcastle University, Astex’s fragment-based drug discovery expertise has led to the discovery of a novel and innovative approach to selectively inhibit this key oncology target for breast cancer therapy. Genentech’s focus on embracing innovation, its expertise in oncology and its longstanding dedication to innovation for breast cancer patients makes Genentech an excellent partner for this collaboration. We are delighted to be working together in this important drug discovery alliance with the aim to build on our progress and accelerate compounds into development in a rapidly emerging area of need which, as yet, remains unmet,” said Michelle Jones, president of Astex Pharmaceuticals.
The alliance highlights the ongoing trend of large pharmaceutical firms partnering with specialised biotechnology companies to source early-stage precision oncology assets.
“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation and turning breakthroughs into better outcomes for people with breast cancer,” said Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Roche Corporate Business Development. “Working alongside partners like Astex Pharmaceuticals in pursuit of precision therapies against cell-cycle regulators, we follow the science to focus our innovation on the areas of the highest unmet need.”
