Abstract
CONTINUING TO diversify their portfolios beyond protein-based therapies, the two largest biotechnology companies each signed small-molecule drug development agreements last week. In a twist, the deals allow the firms to see more data before making a bigger commitment to the drugs. Amgen linked up with Cytokinetics for the discovery and development of small-molecule drugs to treat heart failure. Cytokinetics will open its portfolio of activators of cardiac myosin, a protein found in heart muscle that converts energy into force, thereby enabling the heart to contract. Amgen has the option to license CK-1827452, Cytokinetics' most advanced drug, and the companies will collaborate to identify other cardiac myosin activators as follow-up products. Amgen will fork over a $42 million up-front fee and pay $33 million for a 9% stake in the South San Francisco-based company. If Amgen decides to exercise its option to license CK-1827452, which has completed Phase I clinical trials, ...
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