Argenta Adds BioFocus to Genentech Pact

Argenta, a service division of Galapagos NV, has signed a contract extension with Genentech, expanding their portfolio of projects in the collaboration and allowing Genentech to assign projects to Galapagos’ service division, BioFocus.

The Argenta/Genentech collaboration dates back to 2005 and covers several drug discovery programs that use Argenta’s computer-aided drug design (CADD), medicinal chemistry, and in vitro biology and screening to discover new chemical entities, against undisclosed Genentech drug targets. Under the extension, BioFocus will provide medicinal chemistry, in vitro biology and ADME services.

“We are delighted that Genentech has expanded its small-molecule drug discovery outsourcing into BioFocus, and we regard it as testament to the complementary expertise and technological capabilities that Argenta and BioFocus possess,” said Chris Newton, senior vice president, Galapagos Services.