BioWorld International Correspondent

PARIS - Serono SA and Cellular Genomics Inc. signed a research collaboration agreement under which CGI will apply its chemical genetics technologies to four undisclosed target kinases selected by Serono.

CGI, of Branford, Conn., will receive an undisclosed up-front fee and a series of milestone payments over a two-year period, while Serono will retain rights to acquire licenses to intellectual property arising from the collaboration.

Geneva-based Serono has a well-established kinase discovery program, with several compounds in preclinical development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, central nervous system disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and ischemic and inflammatory conditions. Protein kinases regulate critical pathways involved in cell growth, activation and death, and have been implicated in a number of pathologies, including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

The deal calls for Cellular Genomics to identify and validate kinase targets in Serono's chosen disease areas using its proprietary chemical genetics technology, which is based on the replacement of a normal kinase with a modified one, or ASKA (analogue sensitive kinase allele). This modified kinase can be inhibited with high selectivity and specificity by a specially designed inhibitor, making it possible to understand the pharmacological consequences of inhibiting a chosen single kinase.

According to CGI, that means that the likely therapeutic benefit of inhibiting the normal kinase target with a small-molecule drug can be evaluated early in a discovery program. In its collaboration with Serono, CGI will deploy not only its ASKA technology to produce the modified kinases for Serono, but also its P-target technology for in-depth mapping of clinically important kinase signaling pathways in areas of interest to the Swiss company.

Serono also announced the appointment of Allan Shaw as chief financial officer and member of the company's executive committee. Shaw, 38, has 15 years of financial management experience and was previously chief financial officer of Viatel Inc., an international telecommunications company.