Cytokinetics has agreed with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to terminate their collaboration and license agreement, effective February 28, 2010. As a result, all rights for GSK-923295, an inhibitor of centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E), will revert to Cytokinetics.
GSK remains responsible for all the activities and costs associated with completing and reporting on the ongoing phase I clinical trial of GSK-923295 in advanced, refractory solid tumor patients.
Cytokinetics said that the decision to terminate the collaboration agreement with GSK reinforces its corporate commitment to focus its internal research and development to muscle function and related therapeutic applications.
Cytokinetics had previously negotiated for the return of all rights to the kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitors, SB-743921 and ispinesib (SB-715992), that had also been initially developed in collaboration with GSK. Each of these compounds has demonstrated favorable tolerability and clinical activity in one or more clinical trials.
Cytokinetics is seeking to license its portfolio of these three mechanism anti-mitotic drug candidates so that they can be advanced in further clinical trials.
Robert Blum, president and chief executive officer of Cytokinetics, said: “In our industry, and especially in these challenging times, it is important to remain focused and execute on a core business strategy. At Cytokinetics, we believe our best opportunities are rooted in our multiple programs directed to the biology of muscle function.
“The announcement, combined with our company’s previously disclosed decisions to discontinue oncology research and phase out related development activities and spending, is further evidence of our commitment to this strategy. We appreciate the opportunity we have had to collaborate with GSK over the last eight years and we look forward to the possibility of advancing these novel oncology drug candidates into next stages of clinical development with another partner.”
Andrew Wolff, senior vice president of clinical research and development and chief medical officer of Cytokinetics, said: “Our collaboration with GSK has been productive in validating the potential of mitotic kinesin inhibitors in both solid and hematologic malignancies. We are encouraged by both the tolerability profiles and the clinical activity demonstrated by our three novel drug candidates in the treatment of a broad array of tumor types.”