Array to collaborate with Genentech

Array BioPharma has signed a licensing and collaboration agreement with Genentech for multiple targets in the field of oncology.

As part of this agreement, Array and Genentech will form a research collaboration to advance two of Array's proprietary oncology programmes into clinical development. These programmes include small molecule leads developed by Array along with additional Array intellectual property involving its drug discovery platform.

Under the agreement, Array will receive an upfront payment and research funding, with the potential also to receive development milestones and royalties on resulting product sales. 'We are delighted to collaborate with Genentech, a clear leader in the field of oncology,' said Robert Conway, chief executive officer, Array BioPharma. 'This collaboration leverages Array's proprietary small molecule drug discovery expertise with Genentech's cancer expertise, with the goal of creating products to address one the world's largest unmet medical needs and market opportunities.'

'Array has a proven drug discovery capability that has created a number of exciting early stage programmes around multiple oncology targets,' said Dr Marc Tessier-Lavigne, senior vice president, research drug discovery, Genentech. 'We believe this collaboration complements our existing oncology portfolio and further strengthens our position as a leader in cancer research.'

Under the terms of this agreement, Genentech and Array will collaborate on the discovery of clinical candidates directed against two cancer targets. Genentech will have the sole responsibility for clinical development and commercialisation of the resulting products. Genentech has reserved the right to add additional programmes to this collaboration.