On May 13, 2014 Servier reported it has signed a strategic worldwide collaboration agreement with Novartis to develop and commercialize a series of novel drug candidates issued from Servier research programs in partnership with Vernalis in oncology, targeting apoptosis regulation pathways (Press release, Servier, MAY 13, 2014, View Source [SID:1234508829]).
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The collaboration covers the worldwide codevelopment of BCL-2 selective inhibitor candidates now entering into clinical development. Proteins of the BCL-2 family are crucial regulators of apoptosis. Dysregulation of this protein family play a major role in the aberrant survival of tumor cells.
Servier will remain responsible for research activities and will share responsibilities with Novartis to conduct a clinical development program aimed at moving swiftly toward a first indication for the benefit of patients.
Commercialization rights for products arising from the collaboration will be allocated between the parties on a geographic basis.
Jean-Pierre Abastado, Ph D, Director of the Center of Therapeutic Innovation in Oncology at Servier, said: "Small molecules tailored against specific targets can have very high therapeutic potential. This success was achieved through a comprehensive chemistry and biology research program, in collaboration with Vernalis, with our teams identifying and characterizing this exquisitely specific BCL-2 inhibitor. These new compounds further extend Servier’s portfolio beyond kinase inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors; and immunotherapeutic products."
Emmanuel Canet, MD, PhD, President of Servier R&D, commented that "this significant partnership is the recognition of Servier’s innovative approach to oncology research. By collaborating with one of the leaders in the field we are restating our commitment to provide innovative therapeutic solutions for unmet needs in patients with severe illnesses."
About the BCL-2 target:
Proteins of the BCL-2 family are crucial regulators of apoptosis, the programmed cell death. Dysregulations of this protein family play a major role in the aberrant survival of tumor cells. Within this protein family, BCL-2 belongs to the prosurvival members and is often overexpressed in tumor cells. Prosurvival BCL-2 family members have been recognized as attractive therapeutic targets in oncology for more than twenty years; but drug discovery research on this type of target is particularly challenging and requires innovative chemistry supported by structural biology.