Millennium, Bayer update, expand deal

MLNM said it has identified over 140 disease-relevant targets and that many have been moved into development by partner Bayer (FSE:BAYG). Under a 1998 deal, MLNM is to provide BAYG with 225 targets for small molecule compounds over five years in an alliance valued at up to $465 million (see BioCentury, Sept. 24, 1998). "The first compound, ICAST (Inhibitor of cyclic AMP signal transduction) for treatment of cancer, will enter clinical testing by the end of the year," said BAYG spokesperson Jurgen Beunink. In addition, three others compounds have shown efficacy in animal models, according to MLNM. ...