Collaboration continues for Avalon and Novartis

Collaboration continues for Avalon and Novartis

Avalon Pharmaceuticals and Novartis have announced the continuation of their drug discovery collaboration.

A statement from Avalon outlined plans for the next phase of research, which is to discover molecule therapeutic compounds when targeted at a pathway chosen by Novartis.

Both parties have now agreed the initiation of characterisation of compounds identified in Novatis’ library by Avalon’s drug discovery platform AvalonRx.

The compounds were identified via the monitoring of changes in gene expression of a transcriptional signature reflecting disruption in the chosen pathway.

Monetary terms of the collaboration mean Avalon will now receive an undisclosed amount for research support.

Stephen K Horrigan, vice-president of research at Avalon, said the company was “pleased” with the ongoing developments of the partnership.

“Our AvalonRx drug discovery platform brings real value to programmes through greater speed in identifying compounds with more selectivity against any pathway or targets including those which historically have been considered undruggable,” he added.

The firm states it is primarily focused on the development of “first-in-class” cancer therapeutics.