GSK and Dynavax sign alliance to develop immuno-inflammatory disease treatments

Published: 14-Jan-2009

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Dynavax Technologies Corporation (DVAX) have announced a worldwide strategic alliance to discover, develop and commercialise novel inhibitors of endosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs) for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory diseases.


GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Dynavax Technologies Corporation (DVAX) have announced a worldwide strategic alliance to discover, develop and commercialise novel inhibitors of endosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs) for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory diseases.

Under the terms of the alliance, Dynavax will receive an initial payment of US$10m for which GSK will receive an exclusive option over four programmes targeting auto-immune and inflammatory diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dynavax is to conduct research and early clinical development in up to four programmes and is eligible to receive milestone payments totalling approximately US$200m per programme. After exercising its option, GSK will carry out further development and commercialisation of these products. Dynavax will receive tiered, up to double-digit royalties on sales and has retained an option to co-develop and co-promote one specified product.

Dynavax has pioneered a new approach to treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases with its oligonucleotide-based endosomal TLR inhibitors, called immunoregulatory sequences (IRS).

The company’s lead inhibitor drug candidate, DV1079, is a bifunctional inhibitor of TLR7 and TLR9, and is expected to enter clinical development in the fourth quarter of 2009.

You may also like