GSK enters inflammatory disease research alliance

The two firms have entered an agreement to discover, develop and market innovative kinase-targeted treatments for inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

It is a major event in Cellzome's development

Tim Edwards

CEO

Cellzome

By entering the alliance, GSK will gain access to Cellzome's Kinobeads technology and the firm's expertise in identifying and developing selective kinase inhibitors.

The partnership will see Cellzome create novel drug candidates, with products which achieve clinical proof of concept being optioned by GSK for clinical development and worldwide commercialisation.

In addition, GSK will grant Cellzome an upfront payment of £14.4 million in cash and equity, with the company also able to claim up to £118 million per development programme and a share of royalties on product sales.

Tim Edwards, CEO of Cellzome, commented: "It is a major event in Cellzome's development, giving us the opportunity to broaden our pipeline and progress several kinase programs towards the clinic, ultimately for the benefit of patients.

Earlier this year, Cellzome, which has a research facility in Cambridge, announced it has extended its Alzheimer’s drug discovery collaboration with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development.