ArQule Inc has entered into a chemistry collaboration with Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc (NIBRI), an affiliate of Novartis AG. As part of this collaboration, ArQule will apply its integrated chemistry technology platform to generate and optimize small-molecule compounds for NIBRI's anti-infective drug discovery program. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"The addition of Novartis, one of the world's leading R&D organizations, to our list of partners is further validation of our chemistry technologies business," said Dr. Stephen A. Hill, ArQule's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This announcement confirms our ability to add new customers for our chemistry services while continuing to build our internal proprietary portfolio of discovery and development programs."