Agios is committed to building the leading portfolio in the emerging field of cancer metabolism – a field we believe is poised to deliver multiple novel anticancer treatments with the potential to change patients’ lives. To enable this mission, Agios has implemented a well-defined collaboration strategy that guides the identification and execution of potential partnerships in the field.
Celgene alliance
In April 2010, Agios entered into a global strategic collaboration with Celgene, a leading biotechnology company. The goal of the partnership is to discover, develop and deliver novel disease-altering therapies in oncology, based on the transformational science of Agios’ innovative cancer metabolism research platform. This critical partnership has allowed Agios to continue to invest aggressively to build the leading research and development effort in the field of cancer metabolism.
Under the terms of the agreement, Agios received a $130 million upfront payment, including an equity investment that comprised the company’s Series B financing round. In return, Celgene receives an initial period of exclusivity, during which it has the option at the end of Phase 1 to develop any drugs emerging from Agios' cancer metabolism research. Celgene may also extend this exclusivity period through additional funding. Agios stands to receive significant milestones and royalties from these programs and may also participate in certain U.S. development and commercialization activities.
In September 2011, Celgene and Agios agreed, ahead of schedule, to extend the initial phase of Celgene's global strategic collaboration targeting cancer metabolism with Agios, extending its initial period of exclusivity of three years to four years. According to the terms of this extension, Agios received a $20 million payment from Celgene. The scope, purpose, and rights within the collaboration are otherwise unchanged.
Collaboration and licensing opportunities
Agios is actively seeking potential collaboration or licensing opportunities that would complement our existing portfolio. We are positioning Agios as a preferred partner in the field of cancer metabolism for both academic labs and biotechnology companies working in the space. In addition, the metabolism research platform being built at Agios may be applicable to identifying and exploiting novel therapeutic strategies in disease areas beyond cancer, such as inflammation/immunology, infectious disease and neurodegenerative disease.
If you are interested in partnering with Agios, please contact us at partnering@agios.com.