The collaboration, which was originally established for a period of two years, has been extended at Bristol-Myers Squibb’s request. Under the terms of the collaboration, the two companies jointly identify drug candidates that are ready for investigational new drug application-enabling studies. Bristol-Myers Squibb then undertakes further preclinical development and has responsibility for clinical development, regulatory, manufacturing and sales/marketing activities for such compounds.
Michael Morrissey, president of research and development at Exelixis, said: “Exelixis and Bristol-Myers Squibb have a history of working efficiently and productively together, and we have maintained this positive dynamic in our LXR collaboration. In less than two years, we have made substantial progress in identifying and optimizing compounds that activate LXR, potentially providing new treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which are diseases with increasing impact.”