GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) is working with a Japanese biotechnology company to see if that company’s technology can find potential new cancer treatments.
GSK’s agreement with Tokyo-based Chiome Bioscience calls for the companies to first conduct a pilot study using Chiome’s proprietary technology. Chiome’s proprietary platform technology can generate antibodies. Under the agreement, GSK and Chiome will generate monoclonal antibodies, antibodies that can seek out and recognize cancers anywhere in the body. Depending on how the pilot goes, GSK has the option to pursue further development. No financial terms were disclosed.
Chiome, which specializes in antibodies technology, says that its technology platform has the potential “to accelerate drug discovery and advance pharmaceutical development.” The company’s “Autonomously Diversifying Library” system, called ADLib for short, can generate antibodies quickly and needs just 10 days in a laboratory setting.
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The Chiome technology could give Britain-based GSK another avenue to identify potential cancer drug candidates to fill its drug pipeline. About half of the early stage drug pipeline for the pharma, which has its U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is partnered in some form.
Chiome licenses its technology to pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners under nonexclusive deals. Besides GSK, other companies are using Chiome’s technology for R&D include Five Prime Therapeutics of South San Francisco, California and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals of Redwood City, California.
