MedImmune buys into Infinity's pipeline

Infinity Pharmaceuticals has inked a big development pact with MedImmune to advance new therapies for blood-related cancers and solid tumors. Infinity nets $70 million up front and up to $430 million in scheduled milestones. The two companies will also share all costs and profits. IPI-504, the most advanced of the drug candidates involved in the deal, targets Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) and the Hedgehog cell-signaling pathway.

"Hsp90 and Hedgehog are among the most attractive targeted therapy opportunities in cancer research today, and the Infinity programs have a very strong competitive position," said Edward T. Mathers, MedImmune's executive vice president, corporate development and venture. "With IPI-504, we have a promising drug candidate with already-established preclinical in vivo proof of concept and the potential to reach the market by 2010."

- see the release on the licensing deal