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Research & Discovery Collaborations

Compugen forms collaborations with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies to develop and commercialize the wide range of discoveries in its portfolio as well as to jointly discover novel candidates for therapeutics. We are focused on in-silico predictive discovery of biologics – peptides, proteins, and antibody targets. Our discoveries are based on more than a decade of interdisciplinary research, with more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, leading to 12 discovery platforms announced so far. We model biological data and systematically predict and select novel product candidates. In the last few years we showed positive results in at least one disease model for more than five peptide and protein drug candidates, all of them discovered in-house, validating by that our internal capabilities. Our general approach is to collaborate early under milestone and revenue sharing agreements. We are interested to collaborate based on a “discovery on demand” model in which a discovery platform is harnessed to discover novel candidates based on guidelines provided by the partner (e.g. indications, targets, pathways). We are also interested to collaborate around candidates we have already discovered, usually after initial proof of concept in an animal disease model. We expect to work together with the partner throughout the discovery stage as well as the pre-clinical and early clinical stages, providing an exclusive license to the partner for further clinical development and commercialization.

For joint discovery, we expect the partner to define a certain need that we will address. Examples from collaborations to date include: finding novel proteins in a given protein family of interest; finding novel peptides that will block a given protein target; and finding novel membrane targets for therapeutic mAbs that would be relevant for a specific indication.

Compugen’s discovery programs include identification of novel GPCR peptides ligands (and GPCR ligand library), Disease Associated Conformation peptide blockers, Protein-Protein Interaction Blockers, peptides for intracellular drug delivery, targets for monoclonal antibodies, new indications for existing drugs, pathway kinetic simulation, drug response genomic markers, drug-induced toxicity biomarkers, immunoassay and nucleic acids diagnostics, and more.

A sample list of our collaborations to date includes:
Pfizer Pfizer
A collaboration with Pfizer for the predictive discovery by Compugen of therapeutic peptide product candidates for three drug targets of interest to Pfizer. The discovery process, which is be based on various Compugen discovery platforms and funded by Pfizer, is expected to take a few months, following which the predicted molecules will be synthesized and delivered to Pfizer. Following an evaluation period, Pfizer will have the right to exercise options for worldwide exclusive milestone and royalty bearing licenses to develop and commercialize the selected product candidates or further optimize them to obtain final potent, selective product candidates with favorable pharmacokinetic properties.  |  read more

Roche Roche
A collaborative discovery and license agreement with Roche for the identification and validation of genetic variations for the prediction of response to drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Compugen plans to utilize its proprietary GeneVa™, platform to analyze DNA samples and clinical data provided by Roche in order to identify and validate non-SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) genetic variations that could serve as biomarkers for the predicted response or non-response to selected drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.  |  read more

Merck & Co., Inc. Merck & Co., Inc.
A collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. targeted at predicting peptides likely to activate selected G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and validating their agonistic activity. The agreement includes an option to Merck for exclusive worldwide licenses for such peptides – on a peptide by peptide basis – covering the development and commercialization of therapeutic products  |  read more

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
A collaboration agreement with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. for the discovery of toxicity biomarkers for use in the preclinical stages of the drug development process. Though the collaboration focuses on the discovery of biomarkers for the early detection of nephrotoxicity, both parties have the option to pursue biomarkers for the detection of hepatotoxicity and/or cardiotoxicity in response to drug treatment. Compugen utilizes its proprietary computational tools, discovery engines and nucleic acid testing technologies for the purpose of predicting and validating toxicity biomarkers. Compugen's integrated analysis incorporates data derived from biological samples collected by Teva in a preclinical study designed specifically for this project, as well as Compugen's proprietary expression and clinical data. The collaboration agreement granted Teva a license to use any discovered markers for internal research and development activities. Compugen retained the commercialization rights for licensing such markers to other companies, as well as rights for internal use.  |  read more

Biosite Biosite
A collaboration agreement for the development and commercialization of immunoassay-based diagnostic products utilizing novel biomarkers discovered by Compugen through the use of its proprietary computational biology platforms. In March 2007, the agreement was expanded to enable Biosite to nominate its own targets or to select from Compugen’s increasing inventory of immunoassay biomarkers. The collaboration primarily targets cardiovascular disease and oncology. The collaboration combines Compugen's unique discovery capabilities with Biosite's expertise in rapid, high-affinity antibody development and successful commercialization of proprietary testing platforms consisting of both individual diagnostic markers and panels of markers. In April 2008, Compugen and Biosite entered a research and license option agreement. Under the agreement, Biosite will develop and select antibodies that bind to CGEN-144 to determine assay sensitivity and specificity in various disease states and as an addition to the current commercial Troponin I test.  |  read more