Roche, Recursion Partner to Develop Neuroscience and Cancer Drugs

Roche has partnered with Recursion to generate up to 40 new neuroscience and cancer therapies using the Utah-based biotech firm’s machine-learning drug discovery platform.

Recursion will get an upfront payment of $150 million and is eligible to receive $300 million per candidate in milestones-based payments, as well as tiered royalties on net sales — so the decade-long research pact is potentially valued at more than $12 billion.

Recursion uses data from chemical and genetic deviations in “neuroscience-related cell types and select cancer lines” to identify novel biological relationships that can lead to new therapies.

The deal with Roche is the second high-profile pact the Salt Lake City, Utah-based biotech inked this week. On Monday, Bayer announced an expansion of an existing collaboration to develop new fibrosis treatments.