Eisai and Verastem announce new drug discovery collaboration

Eisai is entering into a new drug discovery collaboration with the US biopharmaceutical company Verastem that will focus on the development of new cancer therapies.

The companies will ally on a project to create small molecule Wnt inhibitors that target cancer stem cells, with Eisai to synthesise analogues of VS-507 (salinomycin) in order to generate these drugs.

Verastem will own any of the novel compounds created through this project, while Eisai will earn royalties on product sales, as well as retaining the right of first negotiation to obtain commercialisation rights.

This research builds on recent advances in cancer genetics research that have made it possible for the proteins involved in cancer to be identified.

The company said: "Through this research collaboration, Eisai seeks to make further contribution to address the diversified needs of and increase the benefits provided to cancer patients and their families, as well as healthcare providers."

Earlier this month, Eisai attended the annual Alzheimer's Association International Conference, where it presented new clinical data on its beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme inhibitor E2609.