Afraxis, Genentech, Roche deal

Roche's Genentech unit acquired from Afraxis its therapeutic business, which comprises a portfolio of compounds against undisclosed, novel targets that Afraxis said covers a range of neurology, inflammation and cancer indications. Afraxis is eligible to receive up to $187.5 million in an undisclosed upfront payment and milestones. The biotech said that over the next couple of months, Afraxis will spin out its CNS supply/service business and then wind down remaining operations. The supply/service business comprises Afraxis' high content analysis platform, which quantitatively evaluates the efficacy of CNS compounds by determining population profiles of dendritic spine shape and size, as well as synaptic function. ...