LLS, FORMA Therapeutics collaborate to develop small molecule compounds against Bcl-6

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and FORMA Therapeutics, Inc., today announced they have begun a partnership to discover and develop small molecule compounds against a key lymphoma target, Bcl-6.

“FORMA is excited to be assisting LLS to achieve their mission to cure blood cancers. Our highly skilled team is dedicated to sharing our industry knowledge with LLS, leveraging our unique Computational Solvent (CS) Mapping technology to aid in structure-based drug design, screening and medicinal chemistry competence”

This new collaboration expands upon the partnership formed between LLS and FORMA in July 2009. Taking an active role in the identification of novel therapies for patients, LLS has committed substantial, multi-year funding to support this collaboration as part of its Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP). TAP is LLS’s bold initiative designed to advance therapies with high prospects of providing near-term benefit to patients suffering from blood cancers. By partnering directly with biotechnology companies, LLS is taking a results-oriented approach to more quickly identify potential breakthrough therapies and advance them along the FDA drug approval pathway.

B lymphocyte cells are an important component of the body’s immune system. B cells can become cancerous, leading to diseases such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Approximately 85 percent of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas originate from B cells. Bcl-6 is a transcriptional repressor that down-regulates hundreds of genes important for control of function of normal and tumor cells. The project focuses on blocking Bcl-6 interaction with a protein co-repressor called SMRT. Inhibition of their binding provides an exciting new approach to treating lymphomas.

“With their oncology focus and unique drug discovery platform, FORMA has become an excellent partner for LLS. Together LLS and FORMA hope to change the standard of care and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from blood cancer,” said LLS CEO John Walter.

“FORMA is excited to be assisting LLS to achieve their mission to cure blood cancers. Our highly skilled team is dedicated to sharing our industry knowledge with LLS, leveraging our unique Computational Solvent (CS) Mapping technology to aid in structure-based drug design, screening and medicinal chemistry competence,” said FORMA CEO Steven Tregay, Ph.D.