Array BioPharma, Biogen Idec enter drug discovery collaboration

The collaboration target and lead inhibitors were discovered through Array’s Kinase-Directed Phenotypic Screening Platform, which relies on the company’s deep experience in kinase inhibitor chemistry and phenotypic screening which can be applied to any therapeutic area where a desired cellular phenotype can be envisioned.

Biogen Idec vice president of Immunology Research Jo Viney said Array has a strong track record in the discovery of novel compounds, and the company is happy to collaborate with them.

"We are encouraged by the potential of this program to address inflammatory disease and are excited to add it to our immunology research portfolio," Viney said.

Array BioPharma chief scientific officer Nicholas Saccomano said,"With fifteen Array-invented drugs currently in clinical development benchmarking the quality of our science, we are confident in the team’s ability to advance the program with the ultimate goal of improving care for patients with inflammatory disease."

As part of the deal, both the firms will collaborate on the discovery of the novel kinase inhibitors, while Biogen will be responsible for all aspects of clinical development and commercialization.

The deal includes research funding for three years, various milestone payments payable upon achievement of certain development and commercial milestones, and royalties to Array.