Angiochem, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs).

The collaboration will combine Angiochem’s expertise in creating novel therapeutics that cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with the scientific, development and commercialization capability of GSK in rare diseases. Angiochem initially will create new compounds (EPiC-enzymes) to penetrate the BBB and restore enzyme function in the central nervous system, developing an enzyme replacement therapy for a specified lysosomal storage disease. GSK will have the right to assume responsibility for development and commercialization of the resulting drug candidate. The agreement allows for expansion of the collaboration to include additional lysosomal storage disease targets. 

Angiochem is eligible to receive over $300 million, including up to $31.5 million in upfront cash, research funding and other fees if GSK accesses the few LSD targets available to the collaboration. In addition, Angiochem is eligible to receive royalties on future sales of EPiC-enzymes that arise from the collaboration. 

“This collaboration will further validate the wide-ranging potential for our BBB platform across multiple therapeutic areas and classes of compounds while providing Angiochem with additional resources to advance our own internal pipeline including other EPiC-enzymes,” said Jean-Paul Castaigne, M.D., president and CEO of Angiochem.