GVK Biosciences, a contract research and development organization, has entered into a novel joint partnership with Onconova Therapeutics, a Newtown, Penn.-based biopharmaceutical company focused on novel small molecules for oncology, to develop new drugs for cancer.

The joint partnership will be based in the U.S. and will align research priorities and technological expertise from both companies to facilitate moving certain Onconova oncology assets from early discovery to clinical development stage. Dr. E. Premkumar Reddy, the scientific founder and director of Onconova and a world-renowned molecular oncologist, will oversee the biology and biomarker aspects of the Partnership. Onconova will provide two discovery targets with early chemical equity, while GVK Bio will use its multi-disciplinary discovery platform to advance these programs through lead optimization and IND candidate selection.

GVK Bio will gain an increasing share of the programs as they advance, up to a 50/50 split based on achievement of milestones/funding brought into the joint partnership. Onconova retains the rights to buy back the programs.

Onconova brings a wealth of knowledge in oncology, with an expertise of disease target pathways, hits and development capabilities in the U.S., Europe and India. GVK Bio brings its broad experience of working with over 200 pharmaceutical and biotech companies across multiple service offerings, a strong scientific pool of over 2,000 scientists and an IP generating capability that has delivered INDs to other clients.

"The demands for integrated and outcome-based research deals are increasing in the service business. This announcement shows GVK Bio's commitment to new and innovative models for drug discovery with partners," said Manni Kantipudi, CEO of GVK Bio.

Reddy added, "GVK has a world-class infrastructure and the scientific expertise to support the advancement of these two promising, early-stage programs. We are delighted to start this novel relationship with GVK Bio in our search for efficacious targeted therapies for cancer."