3 Sep 2015 07:00
Horizon Discovery Group plc
Horizon Discovery Group plc and Redx Pharma plc Sign Cancer Research Collaboration
· Collaboration to progress Redx Pharma Plc's novel pan-RAF inhibitor program towards out-licensing
· Horizon leveraging its proprietary gene editing, cell line and drug discovery technology platforms and know how
· Future pharmaceutical partnering deal expected to deliver a material return to Horizon on its investment from any upfront payment, a share of future milestones and a share of future product royalties
Cambridge, UK - September 03, 2015: Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon" or "the Group"), the international life science company supplying research tools and services that power genomics research and the development of personalised medicines, and Redx Pharma plc ("Redx"), today announce a research collaboration to progress Redx's novel pan-RAF inhibitor program, for out-licensing in oncology indications including colorectal cancer, the fourth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK.
Redx's pan-RAF inhibitor program has identified next generation novel small molecule inhibitors of RAF kinases as potential treatments for colorectal and other potential cancers. These next generation pan-RAF inhibitors have been designed to overcome resistance mechanisms seen with first generation RAF inhibitors in colorectal cancer. As part of the collaboration, Horizon will deploy its proprietary gene editing, cell line and drug discovery technology platforms and know how to help explore the mode of action of Redx's pan-RAF inhibitors and support Redx as it seeks to rapidly move this rare class of compounds towards partnering.
Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon and Redx will bear costs proportionate to respective research activities. The successful partnering of a program asset with a pharmaceutical company is expected to deliver a material return on Horizon's investment from any upfront payment, a share of future milestones and a share of future product royalties.
Dr. Darrin M. Disley, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Discovery Group, commented:
"Horizon's expertise throughout the drug discovery and development continuum, from genomic sequence to patient treatment, enables pharmaceutical and biotech companies to address the challenges and hurdles that could prevent them from realising the potential of their promising drug candidates. This partnership demonstrates how Horizon is able to strike innovative deals in which it deploys its proprietary technology platforms, know-how and internal resources to leverage significant upside potential for its shareholders.
"We are delighted to be able to support Redx as it moves towards securing partnerships for these novel assets and look forward to similar collaborations with other innovative drug development companies."
Neil Murray, Chief Executive of Redx Pharma Plc, commented:
"Our pan-RAF inhibitor program is dealing with novel biology and is at a very interesting point. Our partnership with Horizon will enable us to detail at molecular level the effects of our pan-RAF inhibitors and help to progress this very promising program as we seek to secure a license partner for this asset."
ENDS
For further information from Horizon Discovery Group plc, please contact:
Horizon Discovery Group plc
Dr. Darrin Disley CEO / Richard Vellacott CFO
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655580
Consilium Strategic Communications (Financial Media and Investor Relations)
Amber Fennell / Jessica Hodgson / Matthew Neal / Laura Thornton
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701
Email: horizon@consilium-comms.com
Zyme Communications (Trade and Regional Media Relations)
Katie Odgaard
T: +44 (0)7787 502 947
E: katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
Panmure Gordon & Co. (NOMAD)
Corporate Finance: Freddy Crossley / Fabien Holler / Duncan Monteith
Broking: Tom Salvesen
Tel: +44 20 7886 2500
Notes for Editors
About Horizon Discovery Group plc www.horizondiscovery.com/
Horizon is a revenue-generating life science group supplying research tools to organisations engaged in genomics research and the development of personalised medicines. Horizon has a diverse and international customer base of over 1,000 organisations across nearly 50 countries, including major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies as well as leading academic research centers. The Group supplies its products and services into multiple markets, estimated to total in excess of £29 billion by 2015.
Horizon's core capabilities are built around its proprietary translational genomics platform, a high-precision and flexible suite of gene editing tools able to alter almost any endogenous gene sequence of human or mammalian cell-lines. Horizon offers circa 16,500 products, almost all of which are based on the application of gene editing to generate cell lines that accurately model the disease-causing mutations found in genetically based diseases. These 'patients-in-a-test-tube' are being used by customers to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, which may lead to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently available and future drug treatments.
In addition, Horizon provides custom cell line and in vivo model generation services for research and bioproduction applications, quantitative molecular reference standards, in vivo disease models, and contract research and custom screening services.
Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker "HZD", for further information please visit: www.horizondiscovery.com.
About Redx Pharma plc
www.redxpharma.com
Redx is focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, small molecule therapeutics to address areas of high, unmet medical need, principally in cancer, infection and immunology, providing a pipeline of assets to larger and emerging companies. By improving the characteristics of existing drug classes to create highly differentiated, novel, best-in-class drugs, Redx has already established a portfolio of 13 proprietary (patent‑protected) drug programs. Five programs have now achieved pre-clinical proof of concept, with relevance for respective therapies to treat MRSA, bone tumours, skin, brain, breast, pancreatic and blood cancers.