Cytokinetics expands role in GSK alliance

This drug candidate, SB-743921, is being developed under an alliance focused on novel small molecule therapeutics targeting human mitotic kinesins for applications in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Under the terms of the amendment, Cytokinetics will lead and fund development activities to explore the potential application of SB-743921 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Cytokinetics’ development activities will be conducted in parallel with GSK’s development activities for SB-743921 in other indications and for ispinesib (SB-715992). Ispinesib is the first drug candidate to emerge from the strategic alliance and is currently the subject of a broad clinical trials program.

In addition to the payments that GSK may make to Cytokinetics under the original terms of the collaboration agreement, Cytokinetics’ may receive additional pre-commercialization payments from GSK based on the achievement of certain milestones for SB-743921 for the additional indications described above and increased royalties from GSK on net sales of products containing SB-743921 under certain scenarios.

“The expanded role to be played by Cytokinetics in the joint development of SB-743921 with GSK reflects the maturation of Cytokinetics’ capabilities in the area of clinical R&D since the initiation of the collaboration in June 2001,” stated Robert Blum, executive vice president, Corporate Development and Commercial Operations.