GSK can exclusively license inhibitors of up to seven targets related to inflammatory diseases.
Cellzome has inked an agreement related to inflammatory diseases with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) that is potentially worth $1.45 billion. Cellzome will immediately receive £14.4 million, or $25.31 million, as a combination of cash and equity.
The deal gives GSK the exclusive option to license candidates from Cellzome’s kinase programs directed against four identified targets and three additional targets, which will be jointly picked. Cellzome is entitled to milestones fees of $207.47 million per program depending on development, regulatory, and commercial success. The transaction also calls for GSK to pay double-digit royalties.
Cellzome will utilize its Kinobeads™ technology to discover small molecule inhibitors of the chosen targets. The firm will develop the most promising candidates through to the end of clinical proof of concept, unless GSK elects to exercise its option earlier. GSK will take over clinical development once it exercises this option and will be responsible for commercialization on a worldwide basis. Cellzome retains the right to continue the development and commercialization of drugs if GSK chooses not to exercise its option to that program.
The Kinobeads platform screens compounds in a physiological setting. It is designed to improve the predictability of these compounds’ performance in clinical testing.
