Relation Announces Strategic Collaborations with GSK
Deal News | Dec 16, 2024 | Raptor Capital Management LP
Relation, a leader in computational and experimental drug discovery, has announced two strategic collaborations with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets for fibrotic diseases and osteoarthritis. These diseases, which account for significant unmet medical needs, affect millions globally. The collaboration combines Relation's patient-centric discovery platform with GSK’s global expertise to accelerate transformative medicines development. Relation will receive a total of $45 million upfront, including a $15 million equity investment, and will potentially earn additional payments up to $263 million based on success, with royalties linked to net sales. The collaborative approach involves Relation conducting observational studies and applying its Lab-in-the-Loop platform to discover disease targets by integrating human genetics, single-cell multi-omics, functional assays, and machine learning. GSK will secure development and commercialization rights to any resulting targets, ensuring a robust clinical progression aligned with its mission to address pressing medical needs.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare
Geography
- United Kingdom – GSK is a major pharmaceutical company based in the United Kingdom.
- United States – Relation, the target company in the article, is likely based in the United States, given the commonality of biotech hubs.
Industry
- Biotechnology – Relation operates in the Biotechnology industry through its focus on drug discovery for fibrotic diseases and osteoarthritis.
- Pharmaceuticals – GSK, as a pharmaceutical company, is engaged in developing and commercializing drugs for global healthcare needs.
- Healthcare – The collaboration aims to address unmet medical needs by developing therapeutics for critical health conditions.
Financials
- 45,000,000 – Initial upfront payment from GSK to Relation, including a $15 million equity investment.
- 63,000,000 – Success-based collaboration payments that Relation is eligible to receive.
- 200,000,000 – Average potential preclinical, development, commercial, and sales milestone payments per target across both partnerships.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relation | Target Company | Company | A biotech company specializing in computational and experimental approaches to drug discovery. |
| GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) | Collaborating Company | Company | A global pharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for unmet medical needs. |
| David Roblin | CEO | Person | CEO of Relation, a key player in announcing the collaboration. |
| Kaivan Khavandi | SVP, Global Head of Respiratory/Immunology R&D | Person | Senior Vice President at GSK, involved in the collaboration announcement. |