Cytokinetics says GlaxoSmithKline selected third development candidate under alliance

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Dec. 13 - Cytokinetics, Inc. said Tuesday that GlaxoSmithKline has selected a novel small molecule development candidate, GSK-923295, directed against a second mitotic kinesin target, centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E), under the broad strategic alliance between the companies.

The compound is the third development candidate to emerge from the strategic alliance, which is focused on novel small molecule therapeutics targeting human mitotic kinesins for applications in the treatment of cancer and other diseases, according to a company news release.

The selection of the development candidate triggers a milestone payment of $500,000 to Cytokinetics under the terms of the companies' collaboration established in June 2001, officials said.

Cytokinetics previously received a milestone payment triggered by the advancement of the previously undisclosed target of this compound under collaborative research in 2004.

CENP-E is directly involved in coupling the mechanics of mitosis with the mitotic checkpoint signaling machinery, regulating cell-cycle transition from metaphase to anaphase. CENP-E also is essential for prometaphase chromosome movements that contribute to metaphase chromosome alignment. These processes are essential to cell proliferation, officials said.

GSK-923295 exhibits properties in in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies that distinguish it from the two previously selected development candidates, which are directed to a distinct mitotic kinesin target, kinesin spindle protein and are currently in clinical development.

Cytokinetics is a South San Francisco, Calif., biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel small molecule drugs that specifically target the cytoskeleton.

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