Nimbus and Celgene partner for TYK2, STING programs

Nimbus Therapeutics LLC (Cambridge, Mass.) and Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ:CELG) partnered to develop antagonists of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) and transmembrane protein 173 (STING; TMEM173) to treat autoimmune diseases. The partners plan to develop small molecules designed using Nimbus' computational free energy perturbation (FEP) methodology.

Nimbus will receive an upfront payment. Celgene has an option to acquire each program in exchange for an option fee, and Nimbus is eligible for milestones. Details are not disclosed. The biotech will be responsible for R&D of each program until Celgene exercises its option...