NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Horizon Discovery and biopharmaceutical firm H3 Biomedicine today announced a collaboration to identify and validate a panel of novel cancer drug targets.
The firms will partner to carry out experiments that seek to identify cancer genome targets. H3 will carry out early target discovery through pre-clinical research, and Horizon will use its drug discovery tools "to run alongside and support [H3's] discovery biology and chemistry assets and capabilities," the partners said.
Horizon's discovery tools include rAAV-mediated genome editing, X-MAN human isogenic cell lines, and extensive cell-based assay development and drug profiling experience.
H3's partner, Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai, will conduct any clinical trials that result from H3 and Horizon's work.
The terms of the deal give H3 an exclusive option to acquire ownership of all program assets and IP associated with each of the target program, excluding Horizon's background IP.
Horizon retains commercial rights for any target program not optioned by H3. It also will receive an initial upfront payment of an undisclosed amount and payments if certain preclinical and clinical milestones are reached.