Horizon Discovery and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialisation Sign Collaboration Agreement

Horizon Discovery Group plc has announced its Horizon CombinatoRx division has been contracted by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC) to perform in vitro cell line screening of certain OPDC development candidate(s). Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Horizon CombinatoRx will be paid $835,000 for work to be substantially completed during 2014.

Horizon Discovery completed the acquisition of the CombinatoRx service business and assets from Zalicus Inc. in June 2014. Horizon CombinatoRx provides its partners access to the unique cHTS platform and Chalice analytics software, which enable the screening and analysis of thousands of complementary drug combinations. Combined with Horizon’s Genesis (rAAV, CRISPR and ZFN) gene editing platform and X-MAN isogenic cell line technology, the company offers services including novel phenotypic cell-based screens with compound siRNA, shRNA and sgRNA (for CRISPR-based screening) libraries.

Dr Darrin M Disley, CEO of Horizon Discovery Group plc, commented: “The contract with OPDC represents the continued commercial traction of the CombinatoRx business following the acquisition which was in line with the strategy outlined at the time of Horizon’s IPO. We are delighted that OPDC has chosen to work with us on these screening projects.”

Edwin Rock, Senior Director, Global Clinical Development, OPDC, said: “As combination therapies emerge as the standard of care in a range of indications, it is important that we identify effective multi-target mechanisms. Using the Horizon CombinatoRx platform to explore our clinical-stage programmes in the context of combinations may provide us with information to guide development.”