Synta gets $440M R&D funding from Roche

USA-headquartered Synta Pharmaceuticals and Swiss drug major Roche have entered into a strategic alliance to discover, develop, and  commercialize small-molecule drugs targeting a novel family of ion  channels, discovered by the former, that are critical to immune cell  function.

Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will fund Synta's research  during an initial two-year period. The Swiss firm will receive worldwide  rights to develop and commercialize certain products identified prior  to the end of the deal. Synta retains certain co-development and  co-promotion rights.

Synta will receive $25.0 million in upfront cash license fees and  committed research support and additional milestone payments for each of  three licensed products. Development milestones for the first could  reach $245.0 million, and half of this amount may be earned for each of  the following agents. Synta will also receive commercialization  milestones of up to $170.0 million for each compound, as well as tiered  royalties on sales.