Janssen advances cancer collaboration with Forma Therapeutics

Janssen and Forma Therapeutics have announced that they will be advancing and expanding the cancer research alliance they commenced in January 2012.

The original agreement saw Forma take responsibility for the discovery and development of novel small molecule drug candidates against several tumour metabolism targets, with Janssen providing funding and operational support.

Janssen has now executed a license agreement that will see Forma receive additional undisclosed payments, as well as potential future milestones and royalties on each product, while the initial collaboration will be expanded to include new targets.

Forma's scientific technique involves initially selecting ten to 20 key targets to examine in each area, allowing novel drugs to be quickly created and driving a true chemical biology approach.

Dr Kenneth Bair, chief scientific officer and head of research and development at Forma Therapeutics, said: "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Janssen and leveraging capabilities from both groups to advance these programmes."

Last month, Janssen joined the precompetitive consortium of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to help accelerate global efforts to discover new therapies for this type of cancer.