Organon and Lexicon Genetics collaborate to develop biotherapeutic drugs
Organon, the human pharmaceutical business unit of Akzo Nobel, and US-based Lexicon Genetics, announced that they are to collaborate in the development and commercialization of new biotherapeutic drugs. Under the terms of agreement signed, the two companies will combine Organon's expertise in clinical development, biologics manufacturing and commercialization with Lexicon target discovery and biotherapeutics capabilities to accelerate the development of novel therapeutic antibodies and secreted proteins.
The two companies will start by jointly selecting 300 genes that encode therapeutic proteins or antibody targets. The costs will be equally shared by both companies as will product revenues. Organon will have principal responsibility for the manufacture of biotherapeutic products resulting from the collaboration. Organon will pay Lexicon an upfront payment of USD 22.5 million for access to Lexicon's drug target discovery capabilities and the exclusive right to co-develop biotherapeutic products that modulate the 300 genes selected for the collaboration, including the two existing drug discovery programs.
Organon will also provide annual research funding totaling up to USD 50 million to Lexicon for Organon's 50% share of the collaboration's costs during the four-year target function discovery portion of the alliance. Commenting on the agreement between the two companies, Arthur T. Sands, President and CEO of Lexicon, said: "Our companies will gain a strategic advantage by combining Lexicon's powerful target discovery engine with Organon's drug development and commercialization experience and manufacturing capability to move rapidly from gene function discovery to marketed therapeutic products. We expect a robust pipeline of new antibody drugs and protein therapeutics to result from the combined efforts of our discovery and development teams."
Other news from the department business & finance
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
