Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo to Share Compound Libraries

Japanese drugmakers Astellas Pharma and Daiichi Sankyo are planning to form the first-ever large-scale compound library, through which they plan to share 400,000 compounds.

Both companies have their own individual compound libraries that serve as the basis for drug discovery research via specialized screening search methods. The new partnership will give each drugmaker a chance to access a qualitatively different library and broader search results.

The deal will take effect on April 1 and will be effective for three years. If one drugmaker determines a candidate for drug development among the counterpart’s library, the receiving company will have the right to develop and market that drug.

Astellas lists as its key therapeutic areas cardiology, immunology, dermatology, oncology, urology and infectious diseases. Its pipeline currently consists of 16 drugs in Phase II/III global development, for indications that include anesthesia, type 2 diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and antirejection of transplanted organs. It also has 16 drugs in Phase I development for cancer, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetic nephropathy and several other indications.

Daiichi Sankyo lists 16 drugs in Phase I, eight in Phase II and nine in Phase III, for indications in cardiovascular-metabolics, oncology, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious diseases, kidney diseases, chronic pain, dermatitis and more. — Lena Freund

Subscribe to Drug Industry Daily for complete coverage of the pharmaceutical industry. Click here for more information.