Pharmacopeia, an innovator in the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics has extended its long-standing collaboration with NV Organon. The collaboration, initiated in 2002, has been extended to 2007.

Under the terms of the initial agreement, as amended, acceptance of this latest lead candidate prior to the end of 2005, along with clear progress on further lead series, resulted in the continuation of the collaboration. The acceptance and continuation of the collaboration also terminated Organon’s right to a credit against future milestone payments referenced in the amendment to the collaboration agreement from July 13th, 2005, which was filed with the SEC on July 18th, 2005.

According to a Pharmacopeia release, the partnership has delivered multiple lead series that are currently being advanced towards or through preclinical toxicological studies in anticipation of initiating clinical trials. Organon elected to continue the collaboration by accepting the latest preclinical lead candidate generated by Pharmacopeia’s integrated and proprietary drug discovery and development platform.

The collaboration goals remain unchanged and involve the companies working together to produce advanced preclinical lead compounds meeting stringent criteria for potency, physico-chemical properties, in vivo pharmacokinetics and efficacy in relevant animal models, said the release.

“We are pleased with the productivity of our collaboration with Organon and are confident that during the term we will continue to deliver high-quality preclinical leads and drug candidates for Organon to advance into development,” said Les Browne, president and CEO of Pharmacopeia.