01.10.11
Epizyme and GlaxoSmithKline have entered a strategic alliance to develop novel small molecule therapeutics targeting histone methyltransferases (HMTs), an important class of epigenetic enzymes, for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Epizyme will use its HMT discovery platform, chemical library, and expertise to discover and develop HMT therapeutics against the set of targets to be included in the collaboration. Epizyme will receive an upfront payment of $20 million, as well as research funding. Epizyme is eligible to receive more than $630 million in total milestone payments if products for all targets in the collaboration are commercialized, as well as royalties on sales. Epizyme will be primarily responsible for research up to development candidate selection, and GSK will be responsible for development and commercialization.
Robert Gould, Ph.D., chief executive officer and president of Epizyme, said, “Epizyme’s mission is to develop personalized therapeutics for genetically-defined patients based on our understanding of the driving role played by many HMTs in human disease. We are excited to be working with GSK. This collaboration validates our unique discovery platform and the targeted approach we bring to HMT therapeutics.”
Epizyme will use its HMT discovery platform, chemical library, and expertise to discover and develop HMT therapeutics against the set of targets to be included in the collaboration. Epizyme will receive an upfront payment of $20 million, as well as research funding. Epizyme is eligible to receive more than $630 million in total milestone payments if products for all targets in the collaboration are commercialized, as well as royalties on sales. Epizyme will be primarily responsible for research up to development candidate selection, and GSK will be responsible for development and commercialization.
Robert Gould, Ph.D., chief executive officer and president of Epizyme, said, “Epizyme’s mission is to develop personalized therapeutics for genetically-defined patients based on our understanding of the driving role played by many HMTs in human disease. We are excited to be working with GSK. This collaboration validates our unique discovery platform and the targeted approach we bring to HMT therapeutics.”