Novartis Links With Infinity

Novartis and Infinity Pharmaceuticals have joined forces to develop cancer drugs that target members of the Bcl-2 protein family.

Protein-protein interactions among the Bcl-2 family are critical to cancer cell survival, but small molecules have traditionally proven unsuccessful in modulating those interactions. Infinity says its Diversity Oriented Synthesis can tackle the problem by generating a library of diverse, natural-product-like compounds, which can be leveraged by Novartis' drug discovery and development team.

Infinity will receive a $30 million up-front licensing fee, research funding during the first two years of the pact, and milestone payments. Infinity says total payments could exceed $400 million. Novartis will also make an equity investment in Infinity and has agreed to invest in Infinity???s initial public offering, should it take place within the next two years.

???This collaboration will leverage Infinity???s expertise in developing smart chemical libraries with Novartis??? expertise in drug discovery and development in order to bring innovative therapies to patients,??? says Jeremy Levin, global head of strategic alliances for the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.