Array BioPharma Inc. has commenced drug discovery collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to create small molecule drug candidates against a series of kinases selected by Ono.

"We dedicate ourselves on creating innovative medicines. We are very much pleased about this collaborative arrangement with Array, a pharmaceutical company with excellent state-of-the-art technologies, to create drug candidates modulating our selected new targets," said Kigen Kondo, executive director of research headquarters, Ono.

According to a company release, Ono will provide funding to access Array's Drug Discovery Platform. Array will be entitled to receive milestone payments based on the selection and progression of clinical drug candidates. In addition Array will be entitled to receive royalties on sales of any products that may result from the collaboration. Ono will have the sole responsibility for clinical development and commercialisation of any resulting products.

"We are delighted to be initiating this multi-year collaboration with Ono. We view Ono's interest in partnering with Array as further validation of our ability to create high quality clinical candidate," said Kevin Koch, president and chief scientific officer, Array

Array BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of orally active drugs to address significant unmet medical needs.