Newcastle University spin-out in China tie-up

Collaboration agreed

e-Therapeutics plc, a drug discovery and development start-up spun out of Newcastle University in the UK, has agreed a partnership with Nanjing KeyGen Biotech. Co. Ltd, under which the two will combine their capabilities and expertise in the discovery and evaluation of potential cancer drugs.

The deal will bring together e-Therapeutics’ in silico systems biology approach to drug discovery and evaluation, with KeyGen’s cell-based assays and preclinical capabilities.

Any exploitation of potential drug candidates and further work between the two companies will be the subject of further agreement.

e-Therapeutics’ CEO, Malcolm Young said,  “This marks a significant partnership for us in Asia and we are delighted to be collaborating with one of China’s leading biotechnology companies.  We believe KeyGen’s relationship with Nanjing Medical Group, which is a top pharmaceutical group in China, provides us with direct access to some of China’s most eminent scientists and doctors, in addition to a well established market presence.” 

KeyGen’s CEO, Wanzhou Zhao said, “In our opinion, e-Therapeutics possesses a unique platform for addressing the principal risks in drug discovery and development.”