CuraGen and Genentech Renew Collaboration for Additional Drug Research

Strategic Insights -

CuraGen Corporation and Genentech Inc. have renewed their drug research collaboration for a minimum of two and a half years. The collaboration, established in 1997, involves the application of CuraGen's genomic technologies and disease expertise to advance the discovery of novel protein therapeutics and antibodies. CuraGen will receive research funding payments from Genentech for the collaborative discovery of genes representing potential drugs, targets, and clinical markers. The two companies will work together to license, develop, and market therapeutics derived from this research, with CuraGen set to receive milestone and royalty payments based on the development and sales of products resulting from this collaboration. Recent publications highlighting the collaboration's achievements include a manuscript outlining the discovery of a murine chemokine regulating red blood cell proliferation and another discussing the hormone leptin's role in obesity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The collaboration between CuraGen and Genentech has been extended for a minimum of two and a half years.
  • CuraGen will receive research funding payments from Genentech for the collaborative discovery of genes representing potential drugs, targets, and clinical markers.
  • Genentech will retain the rights to license, develop, and market therapeutics derived from this research, with CuraGen set to receive milestone and royalty payments based on product development and sales.
  • The collaboration has delivered a number of genes and potential protein drug and target candidates, as highlighted in recent publications in Immunity and The Journal of Biological Chemistry.
  • This is the second expansion of CuraGen's collaboration with a partner this year, following an agreement with COR Therapeutics in March.

Statistics:

  • The collaboration has been in place since 1997.
  • CuraGen has delivered a number of genes and potential protein drug and target candidates through the collaboration.
  • Genentech will retain the rights to license and develop therapeutics derived from this research.
  • The collaboration is expected to generate milestone and royalty payments for CuraGen based on product development and sales.

Sources:

  • CuraGen Corporation press release (no date mentioned)
  • Genentech Inc. corporate website (no date mentioned)
  • Immunity journal article (February edition, no date mentioned)
  • The Journal of Biological Chemistry journal article (April edition, no date mentioned)
  • COR Therapeutics press release (March, no date mentioned)