Xenon enters cardiovascular disease alliance with Merck & Co
Xenon and Merck & Co are to collaborate on the discovery and development of novel small molecule candidates for the potential treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Xenon and Merck & Co are to collaborate on the discovery and development of novel small molecule candidates for the potential treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Xenon will perform validation studies using its clinical genetics platform, as well as drug discovery and select preclinical development of small molecule compounds for those targets selected by a joint steering committee.
Merck has the option exclusively to license targets and compounds from Xenon for development and commercialisation. In return, Xenon will receive research funding and is eligible for milestone payments of up to US$94.5m for the first target and up to US$89.5m for each subsequent target selected for drug discovery. In addition, Merck will pay Xenon undisclosed royalties on sales.
Michael Hayden, chief scientific officer of Xenon, said: "This new alliance, which represents our fifth partnership with a major pharmaceutical company, once again highlights Xenon's r&d capabilities and validates our drug discovery platform."
