GSK, Chroma Form Macrophage Alliance

GlaxoSmithKline and Chroma Therapeutics have formed a collaboration to develop macrophage-targeted compounds using Chroma’s proprietary esterase-sensitive motif (ESM) technology, which adds amino acid esters to compounds with the aim of targeting the compounds to specific cells in the inflammatory disease process.

Chroma will undertake four discovery and development programs to identify small molecule therapeutics, including its macrophage-targeted HDAC inhibitor programme for inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chroma will receive an up-front cash payment and, in addition, GSK will invest in Chroma’s Series D equity financing.

Chroma is eligible to receive as much as $1 billion in milestones, option fees and tiered royalties based on compounds arising from the collaboration, if all four programs are successful. For each program, Chroma will have responsibility for R&D activities through completion of clinical proof of concept studies. After the completion of such studies for each program, or earlier if it so chooses, GSK may elect to obtain an exclusive, worldwide license to product candidates within the program. At such time GSK will assume full responsibility for development and commercialisation. Chroma will retain full rights to further develop and commercialize its product candidates in any programme GSK chooses not to license.

“This agreement marks GSK’s continued efforts to access the best science and technology platforms worldwide” said Shelagh Wilson, vice president and head of the European Center of Excellence for External Drug Discovery. “We believe Chroma’s ESM platform has tremendous potential, and look forward to working with Chroma to accelerate the discovery and development of innovative new medicines for patients”