Genentech links up with Ensemble Thera for macrocyclic drug candidates discovery

Swiss drug major Roche’s (ROG: SIX) subsidiary Genentech has initiated a drug discovery collaboration with Ensemble Therapeutics, a US biotechnology company developing Ensemblins, a novel class of small-molecule therapeutics with the power of biologics, to discover macrocyclic drug candidates against targets specified by Genentech.

The collaboration will deploy Ensemble’s proprietary drug discovery platform, including its Ensemblin collection of over 5 million macrocycles, Genentech will have the right to develop and commercialize lead molecules arising from the collaboration.

Under the terms of the accord, Ensemble will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and milestone payments on the successful achievement of certain development milestones. In addition, Ensemble is eligible to receive royalties on future sales of products that arise from the collaboration.