Onyx joins with MMRF to advance MM targeted therapies

US biotech firm Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ONXX) has joined forces with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) on a multi-year collaboration in support of the comprehensive research initiative in personalized medicine sponsored by the MMRF. The MMRF's Personalized Medicine Initiative, the largest research effort ever undertaken against this incurable disease, is designed to enable the molecular characterization of patients with multiple myeloma and advance the development of new, targeted treatments for the disease.

As a charter member of a growing pre-competitive consortium which includes academic, industry and non-profit members, Onyx, which has a focus in multiple myeloma, will provide scientific and financial support for this comprehensive research initiative. The pre-competitive component of the collaboration gives the consortium equal access to data generated for a set period of time before the data is released in the public domain.

"We look forward to working closely with Onyx to gain a much better understanding of how this disease develops and progresses, and to bring the entire R&D ecosystem together to greatly accelerate the development of new treatments, and ultimately, a cure," said Kathy Giusti, founder and chief executive of the MMRF and Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium, and a multiple myeloma patient. "Onyx is an invaluable partner who shares our passion for rapidly translating new insights into breakthrough therapies to bring us closer to a cure. We look forward to working together in this critical initiative."