Biotech firm Vesalius Therapeutics announced a strategic collaboration with GSK aimed at the discovery and development of therapeutics for Parkinson's disease and another undisclosed neurodegenerative disease.
In a statement, Vesalius described its platform as using "large-scale human genetics, genomics, stem cell studies, and artificial intelligence to uncover causal biology and identify optimal intervention points for new therapies."
Under the terms of the agreement, Vesalius will identify novel intervention points in Parkinson's disease and the other disorder, the firms said. GSK will have the option to advance programs against those novel intervention points; the company will also be responsible for advancing Vesalius' preclinical small molecule inhibitor program, with an initial focus on Parkinson's disease.
In addition, GSK will control all development and commercialization of any potential therapeutics. Vesalius will receive $80 million in upfront and equity payments. It is eligible to receive potential preclinical, development, and commercial milestone payments of up to $570 million, along with tiered royalties for the preclinical small molecule program.
Vesalius will also be eligible to receive preclinical, development, and commercial milestone payments and tiered royalties for each of the novel intervention points that result from the multitarget deal. The potential total payment amount for each novel intervention point was not disclosed.
