Of Note

Nature Reviews Highlights Sale of TSRI Spin-Off Developing MS, Ulcerative Colitis Drug Candidate

A recent article in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery highlights the sale of Receptos, a biotech company founded by licensing patents from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), to global biopharmaceutical company Celgene for $7.3 billion.

The drug candidate, called ozanimod (previously known as RPC1063), was first discovered and synthesized in the Scripps California laboratories of Professors Hugh Rosen and Ed Roberts, based on a hit from the Scripps Florida Molecular Screening Center, which was part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Molecular Libraries Program. Ozanimod is now in two separate Phase III trials for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, and in a Phase II trial for Crohn’s disease.

"Ozanimod is the first and most advanced compound to emerge from the NIH Common Fund efforts thus far and is an important illustration of the impact of TSRI's unique faculty environment and infrastructure integrating deep biological and chemical insights," Rosen said. "These strengths together with an entrepreneurial vision and flawless execution improve the lives and dignity of patients and families dealing with disabling and debilitating diseases."

To read the full article, “Deal watch: Celgene bets big on Scripps-originated autoimmunity candidate,” see http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nrd4716.html (available to subscribers or for purchase).

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

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Of Note

Nature Reviews Highlights Sale of TSRI Spin-Off Developing MS, Ulcerative Colitis Drug Candidate