Horizon Discovery and Otsuka sign collaboration agreement

Horizon Discovery Group has announced its Horizon CombinatoRx division has been contracted by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization (OPDC) to perform in vitro cell line screening of certain OPDC development candidate(s). 

Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Horizon CombinatoRx will be paid $835,000 for work to be substantially completed during 2014. 

Horizon Discovery completed the acquisition of the CombinatoRx service business and assets from Zalicus in June 2014. Horizon CombinatoRx provides its partners access to the unique cHTS platform and Chalice analytics software, which enable the screening and analysis of thousands of complementary drug combinations.

Dr Darrin M Disley, CEO of Horizon Discovery Group, commented: “The contract with OPDC represents the continued commercial traction of the CombinatoRx business following the acquisition which was in line with the strategy outlined at the time of Horizon’s IPO. We are delighted that OPDC has chosen to work with us on these screening projects.” 

Edwin Rock, MD, PhD, senior director, global clinical development, OPDC, said: “As combination therapies emerge as the standard of care in a range of indications, it is important that we identify effective multi-target mechanisms. Using the Horizon CombinatoRx platform to explore our clinical stage programs in the context of combinations may provide us with information to guide development.