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news.Nurix and Celgene have partnered to develop and commercialize novel small molecule therapeutics in the fields of oncology, inflammation, immunology and immuno-oncology.
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The companies will advance new therapies that function via the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) for modulating protein homeostasis, a fundamental cellular process controlling protein levels.
Celgene will pay $150m to Nurix and an undisclosed equity investment for an option to license future programs. The option can be extended to license term for further payments.
Nurix may focus on investigating E3 ubiquitin ligases and E2 conjugating enzymes during the option to license term.
The company would try to identify drug for use in oncology or inflammation and immunology therapeutic applications.
Nurix will undertake all drug discovery and development activities through the end of phase 1 clinical trials.
Celgene may license worldwide development and commercialization rights to a program in exchange for an option fee and other payments totaling about $405m.
It includes future tiered single-digit to low double-digit royalties on worldwide sales.
Celgene will have global rights to collaboration products, with the exception of several products for which Nurix retains US development and commercialization rights.
Nurix CEO Arthur Sands said: "Given its global leadership position in the UPS field, Celgene is the ideal partner for Nurix to fully realize the potential of our unique drug discovery engine for small molecule activators and inhibitors of E3 ubiquitin ligases and E2 conjugating enzymes."
"With a shared vision to create a new class of drugs that work by selectively modulating cellular protein levels, we have designed a transformative collaboration that empowers Nurix to move its pipeline from discovery through development and commercialization.
Celgene president of global research and early development Thomas Daniel said: "This collaboration extends our approach in the E3 ubiquitin ligase space, and provides a highly complementary effort addressing important targets in oncology and immune-inflammatory diseases."