4SC will apply its integrated drug discovery platform to develop drug candidates, ready to enter clinical trials, against two specific targets provided by Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho (SKK).
4SC will identify new, active small molecules, which will then be tested in corresponding biological screening experiments against both targets. SKK will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization.
Under the terms of the agreement, 4SC will receive research funding over a period of several years and be eligible for success-based research milestone payments. In addition, terms include potential payments to 4SC upon achievement of defined clinical milestones and royalties if resulting products are marketed.
“We are very proud that in collaborating with SKK this is the first time a major Japanese pharmaceutical company has decided to choose 4SC as a partner in drug discovery,” stated Dr Ulrich Dauer, CEO of 4SC. “Entering the Japanese market is a very important step for our company growth.”