GSK and 23andMe Extend Collaboration, Driving Over 40 Drug Discovery Programs and Advancing Anti-CD96 Antibody into Phase I Trial

Recently, 23andMe announced new developments in its collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK has opted to exercise its option to extend the exclusive target discovery partnership with 23andMe until July 2023. The collaboration will continue leveraging 23andMe’s proprietary genetic information database to discover and validate novel drug targets, for which 23andMe will receive a one-time payment of $50 million. Additionally, GSK6097608, an immuno-oncology antibody targeting CD96 co-developed by 23andMe and GSK, has entered Phase 1 clinical trials, with GSK taking full responsibility for subsequent clinical development.

23andMe has amassed approximately 12 million users since its inception. When these users undergo genetic testing, they have the option to allow their genetic information to be used for scientific research, with about 80% consenting. This enables 23andMe to match large-scale genetic data with billions of phenotypic data points.

In July 2018, GlaxoSmithKline and 23andMe reached a $300 million four-year exclusive collaboration agreement to discover and develop innovative drug targets and related therapies. Through this program, GSK established over 40 ongoing projects. GSK6097608 is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD96. CD96 binds to its ligand CD155, preventing it from interacting with the co-stimulatory receptor CD226, which weakens the anti-tumor immune response of T cells and natural killer cells. By blocking CD96, GSK6097608 has the potential to activate CD226, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity. It is being evaluated in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor dostarlimab in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

Image Source: 23andMe Official Website

References:

[1] 23andMe Announces Extension of GSK Collaboration and Update on Joint Immuno-oncology Program. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/01/18/2368242/0/en/23andMe-Announces-Extension-of-GSK-Collaboration-and-Update-on-Joint-Immuno-oncology-Program.html