In a stunning display of commitment to innovation, Roche’s Genentech has unleashed a flurry of R&D deals, including a high-stakes partnership with Orionis Biosciences worth an initial $47 million, with the potential to soar to an astronomical $2 billion. This blockbuster announcement, made hot on the heels of Genentech’s collaboration with PeptiDream, is set to reshape the landscape of drug development.
Orionis Biosciences has been entrusted with the groundbreaking task of discovering and optimizing small molecule medicines using its molecular glue platform, a cutting-edge technology poised to tackle formidable targets across major disease domains, including oncology and neurodegeneration. Genentech will then step in to spearhead the preclinical and clinical development of any promising candidates.
What’s the buzz all about? These molecular glues possess the remarkable ability to either tag a protein for disposal by the body—a process known as protein degradation—or coax two proteins to form an alliance that alters their function. This game-changing approach is unlocking the door to previously ‘undruggable’ disease targets, a tantalizing prospect that has Big Pharma’s undivided attention.
Not to be outdone, Viennese biotech Proxygen made waves in April 2023, securing its third powerhouse partner in the molecular glue degrader arena—Merck—in a colossal deal valued at up to $2.55 billion. This follows a 2022 collaboration with Merck KGaA valued at $554 million and a 2020 agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim, the financial details of which remain undisclosed.
Genentech’s bold move marks Orionis’ second Big Pharma alliance, following its debut partnership with Novartis in early 2020, focused on protein degraders spanning diverse therapeutic realms.
Meanwhile, PeptiDream, a longtime ally of Genentech since 2015, notched another impressive R&D deal with a $40 million upfront payment and a potential deal value of up to $1 billion. This new collaboration takes aim at radiopharmaceuticals, representing a fresh focus for Genentech.
The Peptide-RI drug conjugates in their sights employ radioisotopes to precisely target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. The specific target of this Genentech-PeptiDream venture remains shrouded in secrecy, adding an element of anticipation to the mix.
With an astounding half of Roche and Genentech’s pipelines and approved medications stemming from fruitful partnerships and an impressive roster of 220 ongoing collaborations worldwide, it’s clear that these bold moves are set to redefine the future of medicine.