Beyond Genomics, Inc. (BG) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that they have entered into a research collaboration, option and license agreement in the area of systems biology for the purpose of drug discovery and development in metabolic diseases. This follows a successful pilot relationship between the companies that began in December 2002 and involved the use of BG's proprietary Systems Biology platform to elucidate disease pathways and identify biomarkers of disease state and drug response. Under the new agreement, GSK will pay BG an upfront fee and will fund the research programme for its full term. BG is also eligible to receive additional payments and will retain certain rights to apply collaboration results in defined fields. Additional financial terms were not disclosed.

The new partnership will apply BG's Systems Biology technologies to GSK's ongoing study of disease and drug response in several metabolic disorders. The parties expect that the knowledge generated from the application of these new systems approaches will lead to a more complete understanding of metabolic disease pathways and drug mechanisms of action in animals and humans as well as improved clinical development strategies. Specifically, the companies anticipate that the collaboration will identify new biomarkers of disease and drug response with broad applicability to the drug discovery and development process.

"We are delighted to begin this important partnership with Beyond Genomics," said John Reardon, senior vice president of Discovery Research Biology at GSK. "Both parties have a shared vision and enthusiasm for the potential of Systems Biology to transform how new drugs are discovered and developed."

"We believe this agreement will enhance and further validates the value of Beyond Genomics' Systems Biology approach for pharmaceutical research and development," said Muz Mansuri, executive chairman of Beyond Genomics. "Since our founding in 2000, Beyond Genomics has been a pioneer in the emerging field of Systems Biology. This alliance with GSK, following the successful completion of our pilot agreement, represents a significant step forward in the evolution of BG as a commercial enterprise and partner to the pharmaceutical industry."