Genentech, Orionis in 2nd $2B Molecular Glue Agreement

Roche's Genentech has further solidified its partnership with Orionis Biosciences by initiating a significant collaboration in the realm of molecular glue biotechnology, focusing on oncology treatments. This new agreement marks the second major deal between the two entities, with Genentech committing $105 million upfront. The collaboration, announced on May 21, revolves around the development of small-molecule monovalent glue medicines targeting challenging and novel aspects of cancer therapy.

Under the terms of this multiyear partnership, Orionis Biosciences will be responsible for the initial phases of discovery and optimization of these molecular glues. Once these compounds have been refined and optimized, the responsibility will shift to Genentech, who will handle the later stages of preclinical and clinical development, as well as any subsequent steps required to bring these therapies to market.

In addition to the upfront payment, the agreement includes provisions for Orionis to receive further payments based on research, development, and commercial milestones, potentially exceeding $2 billion. There are also tiered royalty agreements in place, contingent on the successful commercialization of a cancer therapy derived from this collaboration.

Molecular glues are distinctive small molecules that facilitate the stabilization of interactions between proteins that would not naturally interact. Orionis has developed a platform known as Allo-Glue, which leverages advanced chemical biology techniques to create and refine small molecules capable of inducing or enhancing protein interactions within living cells.

The partnership is a continuation of a previous agreement established in 2023, where Genentech invested $47 million to explore small-molecule medicines targeting a range of challenging areas, including oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Orionis CEO, Niko Kley, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed collaboration, highlighting the shared vision and successful teamwork demonstrated over the past year. He noted that the partnership will expand their efforts in leveraging induced proximity concepts to encompass a broader spectrum of molecular glue types beyond just targeted protein degraders.

This type of technology, particularly involving molecular glues, has become increasingly prominent in the pharmaceutical industry, sparking a series of high-profile deals. Earlier this year, notable agreements have been made, including a $1.25 billion partnership between Eli Lilly and Magnet Biomedicine, a $1.64 billion deal between AbbVie and Neomorph, and an updated pact between Blueprint Medicines and VantAI.

Boris Zaïtra, head of Roche’s corporate business development, emphasized the potential of molecular glues, including both protein degraders and non-degraders, as an innovative therapeutic approach. He pointed out their capability to target disease-related proteins that have been historically difficult to address with conventional treatments. Zaïtra also expressed optimism about the new collaboration with Orionis, believing it holds significant promise for advancing groundbreaking cancer therapies that could greatly benefit patients.

Overall, the deepening relationship between Roche's Genentech and Orionis Biosciences signifies a promising step forward in the development of innovative cancer therapies. The focus on molecular glue technology could pave the way for new treatments targeting previously elusive proteins, potentially revolutionizing the approach to cancer treatment and offering new hope to patients.