Seattle-based Trubion Pharmaceuticals is pocketing a $40 million up front payment from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals as it inks a collaboration deal worth up to $800 million in potential milestones. The two companies will work on developing new treatments for inflammatory diseases and cancer. As part of the alliance, Wyeth and Trubion will collaborate on the development and commercialization of CD20-targeted therapies including TRU-015, a novel SMIP compound currently in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. TRU-015 is designed to deplete B cells--a new therapeutic strategy for B cell mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and also a promising strategy for certain cancers with malignant B cells.
- read this article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for more