Janssen and Forma Therapeutics announce cancer collaboration

Janssen has entered into a new collaboration with Forma Therapeutics that will aim to commercialise new therapies for cancer.

The alliance between Janssen Biotech and Forma will focus on novel small molecule drug candidates targeting tumour metabolism mechanisms, with Forma to take responsibility for discovery and development.

Under the terms of the deal, Forma will be eligible to receive project and milestone funding of up to $700 million (456.18 million pounds) for successfully launched drug candidates.

It will have the opportunity to co-develop and maintain North American commercial rights to one programme of Janssen's selection, while the collaboration could also be expanded into other areas.

Dr Kenneth Bair, senior vice-president and head of research and development of Forma, said: "This collaboration will enable a broad chemical biology approach to understanding the unique biology underlying cancer metabolism."

In November 2011, Janssen teamed up with the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network to launch a new social networking tool for use by UK GPs.