Eisai, Forma Therapeutics sign drug discovery collaboration

As per the terms of the agreement, Eisai is expected to have non-exclusive access to Forma’s Diversity Oriented Synthesis (DOS) chemistry-generated compound library and cell-based screening platforms to support the discovery of new compounds for Eisai’s pipeline.

Additionally, Eisai has an option for technology transfer of Forma’s cell-based screening platform, while Forma will receive upfront payments and committed funding of $20m over three years and is eligible to receive additional milestones plus royalties on future products that Eisai may commercialise as a result of this collaboration.

Eisai Co Product Creation Systems chief scientific officer Kentaro Yoshimatsu said that Forma’s drug discovery capabilities would enable the company to access diversified chemistry and drug discovery technologies to identify new drug candidates for otherwise difficult targets.

Forma CEO Steven Tregay said that they were delighted to be collaborating with Eisai to support its drug development efforts.

"This collaboration provides further validation of Forma’s integrated drug discovery platform and demonstrates our capabilities for unlocking new druggable targets for both our internal product pipeline and for our partners," Tregay said.

"This agreement provides significant, additional financial flexibility to pursue our internal drug discovery and development programs in oncology."