GlaxoSmithKline is teaming up with Cellzome, which is developing kinase-targeted drugs, in a deal that could be worth up to $1.5 billion. The pact will target inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. GSK is paying £14.4 million upfront to license drug candidates from Cellzome's kinase programs directed against four identified targets. Three additional targets will be selected by both companies. Cellzome will use its technology to identify small molecule inhibitors for the chosen targets, and then develop the most promising drugs. GSK has first dibs on licensing the products Cellzome develops, but Cellzome will retain rights to the drug candidates if GSK takes a pass.
Cellzome could gain up to £118 million per program in milestones and "double digit royalties" on net sales.
"GSK is committed to becoming a world leader in immuno-inflammation drug discovery by finding transformative medicines through internal efforts and external collaborations," said Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, head of GSK's Immuno-Inflammation Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery. "Cellzome's Kinobeads technology will provide a distinct advantage because it uses native kinases directly isolated from human cells and tissues."
This is just one of a number of deals GSK has inked in the last several months. The company has signed deals with Valeant, Harvard, the Disease Institute of Boston and, most notably, a $3.25 billion deal with Actelion. The string of deals reflect the new CEO Andrew Witty's strategic move to look outside the company for innovations in drug technology.
- see GSK's release for details