Ensemble Therapeutics has entered into two-part research and development collaboration with Novartis for oral, macrocyclic inflammatory cytokine IL-17 antagonists and additional disease targets.
The collaboration will leverage Ensemble's drug discovery platforms in the development of small molecule treatments against Novartis-specified undisclosed drug targets.
In addition to an undisclosed upfront payment, Novartis will make potential success-based development and sales milestone payments besides potential future sales-based royalties on products resulting from the collaboration.
During the term of the collaboration, Ensemble will also obtain research funding from Novartis.
Ensemble CEO Michael Taylor said, "Novartis has recognized the strength of Ensemble's orally bioavailable drug candidates against this difficult-to-drug protein:protein interaction target, and we believe Novartis is the best-suited pharmaceutical company to partner with us to rapidly develop and market important new medicines for the treatment of IL-17-mediated disease."