NiKem Research and Chiesi Farmaceutici Extend Research Collaboration

Since 2001 Chiesi and NiKem successfully collaborate on several pre-clinical research projects where NiKem provides design, synthesis, hit validation, lead optimization, biochemical pharmacology and ADMET & PK profiling within different therapeutic areas on a fee-for-service basis.

The current extension involves the period 2011-2014 through a multimillion multi-FTE-based service agreement on pre-clinical projects of interest for Chiesi in the respiratory therapeutic area and, in particular, focused on pathologies such as asthma and COPD.

“The scientific and business relationship with Chiesi is rock solid and the current extension follows 10 years of continuous success for both parties in collaborating to identify novel compounds eligible to candidate status for clinical development”, said Giuseppe Giardina, CEO of NiKem. “The strong expertise, high quality and tangible flexibility of NiKem Team of scientists continue to be the driver for choosing NiKem amongst other providers in the drug discovery arena.”

Paolo Chiesi, R&D Director and Vice-President of Chiesi said: “The collaboration with NiKem was productive and well run by both parties. The partnership with a single provider for multiple integrated medicinal chemistry projects is one of the reasons of this successful partnership. It allows to use at best the resources in biochemical pharmacology and ADMET/PK that should support medicinal chemistry optimization cycles in a flexible format. NiKem has demonstrated to rapidly adapt to Chiesi needs from time to time, with the ultimate goal to deliver successful compounds to the clinic.”