BRIEF—Astex and Cardiff University begin drug discovery collab

British oncology and central nervous system (CNS) specialist Astex Pharmaceuticals has inked a new collaboration deal with Cardiff University’s Medicines Discovery Institute (MDI).

Astex is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan's Otsuka Pharmaceutical.

Described as a “multi-million pound” drug discovery deal, the project is aimed at identifying new drugs to treat neurodegenerative diseases, bringing together research in lysosomal biology, the drug discovery capabilities of the MDI and Astex’ fragment-based drug discovery platform.

Under the terms of the agreement, scientists at the MDI and Astex will work together on drug discovery, while Cardiff University will receive committed R&D funding.

Cardiff University will also be eligible to receive development and regulatory payments, plus royalties on sales of any approved products.