Vernalis and Servier new 3-year Collaboration

Vernalis plc (LSE: VER) and Servier, France’s largest privately-owned pharmaceutical company, today announced that they have signed a new three-year joint oncology collaboration, focused on the discovery of drugs for a new target.
Under the terms of the collaboration which uses Vernalis’ proprietary fragment and structure-based drug discovery platform on this undisclosed cancer target, Vernalis will receive fees and a share in the downstream success of the product in the form of milestones and royalties on sales, the terms of which are not disclosed. Vernalis and Servier already have an existing collaborative agreement to develop two promising oncology targets involved in protein-protein interactions.
Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis, commented: “This latest collaboration with Servier confirms our excellent working relationship and Servier’s recognition of the quality of our fragment and structure-based drug discovery platform. We are currently using this platform to progress two promising oncology targets involved in protein-protein interactions under our existing collaboration, as well as a number of our own internal research programmes. “
Emmanuel Canet, MD, PhD, President Servier Research and Development, added : “We are benefiting significantly from our existing relationship with Vernalis as part of our strategy to increase our efforts in the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutic approaches. This new collaboration will further expedite the discovery of innovative compounds with potential use in therapeutic indications with high unmet medical need”
“Cancer represents a major cause of mortality worldwide and Servier is committed to providing patients with novel therapeutic approaches for treating these devastating diseases. We are confident that this new collaboration with Vernalis will further complement our research activities and help us to reach our objectives” added Bernard Marchand, PhD, General Manager of Servier Research.

Granta Science Park looks to the future

Friends and colleagues were invited to preview the new creative work which will be used to promote the science park locally and globally. Many of those who came had taken part in the initial research at the beginning of the year.

The event took place in the new Riverside Development marketing suite. With units from 2,650 sq ft this will be the venue of choice for small to medium-sized companies who value being part of the Cambridge high-tech community.

John Granger commented; “This day marks the start of the future of Granta Park. With the completion of the Riverside Development and planning consent for a further 330,000 sq ft we are in great shape to serve the requirements of the Cambridge scientific community.”

He continued, “The work we have undertaken to review our brand strategy is hugely important because it provides the foundations for Granta Park’s future. It has been a time of recognising what we do well and the things we could do to raise our game. Look out for our new advertising, visit the new-look home page of our website at GrantaPark.com and look out for the stunning new Granta Park commuter bus!”

On a lovely sunny day guests lingered to chat and admire the views across the River Granta - a real selling point.

Pictured from left to right: Derek Jones Chief Executive of Babraham BioScience Technologies Ltd; Peter Victor International Liaison for Cushman and Wakefield; John Granger Managing Director of Granta Park; Nikki Rogers Inward Investment Life Sciences for East of England International and, Harriet Fear Chief Executive of ERBI.