The collaboration will focus on inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). PARP is a nuclear enzyme within cells that directs the repair of damaged DNA via the activation and recruitment of DNA repair enzymes and has applications for the treatment of oncology and cardiovascular conditions.
Under the terms of the agreement, Genentech will make an upfront payment of $20 million to Inotek, with the potential for up to $405 million in additional milestone payments.
Genentech will also pay Inotek royalties based on sales of Inotek’s lead PARP inhibitor, INO-1001, or other next-generation PARP inhibitors in the field of cancer.
Genentech will also provide funding to utilize Inotek’s small molecule chemistry expertise as part of a multi-year collaborative research program and will pay for all future clinical development costs of INO-1001 and subsequent PARP inhibitors in cancer.
“We are looking forward to working together with Inotek, a leader in the field of PARP inhibition, to pursue products that may make an impact in the treatment of patients with serious diseases including cancer,” said Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer for Genentech. “PARP inhibition represents an exciting field of biology and we are intrigued by the potential of this novel mechanism to address unmet medical needs in oncology and acute cardiovascular conditions.”
Additionally, Genentech has retained an option to develop and commercialize PARP inhibitors to prevent complications associated with various acute cardiovascular conditions and procedures.
The cardiovascular option, if exercised by Genentech, could be worth as much as $200 million in additional payments to Inotek.