GSK announces $1.5 billion research project

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has revealed a new partnership with ChemoCentryx, an American biopharmaceutical company, which could reach a value of $1.5 billion depending on milestones achieved.

The UK’s largest pharmaceutical company will provide an upfront payment of $63.5 million to ChemoCentryx with the intention of discovering, developing and commercialising new drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Total milestone payments could reach $1.5 billion, split across six product options.

GSK has targeted four chemokine and chemoattractant receptors for research, which are believed to facilitate inflammation-causing chemokines.

Included in the agreement is the development of Traficet-EN, a drug currently undergoing clinical and pre-clinical trials for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Dr Maxine Gowen, senior vice-president and head of GSK’s Centre of Excellence for External Drug Discovery (CEDD), described the ruling as a “landmark”.

She stated: “This collaboration clearly demonstrates GSK’s commitment to gain access to leading-edge, best anywhere science and we are excited by the opportunity to work with ChemoCentryx, the leading chemokine company, and their world class team.”

“Accessing their expertise and four advanced chemokine programmes, including, Traficet-EN in the clinic for IBD, will allow us to bring novel medicines to patients with high unmet need,” concluded Dr Gowen.

In a recent interview with Manager magazine, JP Garnier, GSK’s chief executive officer, claimed that many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies will not survive because they are not focused enough on the research and development of new treatments.

Last week, GSK unveiled the details of a new development agreement with Genstruct for the development of new oncology treatments.

AstraZeneca, GSK’s UK rival, has likewise been investing in a flurry of partnerships and acquisitions in an attempt to bolster its product pipeline.

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