Amgen extends partnership with BioFocus

Amgen has agreed to an extension of its long-running drug research partnership with BioFocus, while also expanding its remit.

The companies have decided to extend their contract, which involves the identification of new molecules against various therapeutic targets, for a further two years up to 2012.

This will see BioFocus receive two million euros (1.7 million pounds) worth of funding for research during the first year, as well as access fees and performance-based milestone payments.

In addition, the collaboration – which initially began in 2002 – will begin utilising BioFocus' unique target discovery platform from 2011 onwards.

Dr Chris Newton, senior vice-president of BioFocus' parent company Galapagos Services, said: "We are pleased to have delivered well in our long-standing collaboration with Amgen, resulting in an extension for the third time."

Last week, Amgen was granted a recommendation from the Scottish Medicines Consortium for Prolia, an osteoporosis drug offered in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline.