January 10, 2011
Cambridge, MA — Epizyme today announced a worldwide strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to discover, develop, and market novel small molecule therapeutics targeting histone methyltransferases (HMTs), an important class of epigenetic enzymes, for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
This alliance leverages Epizyme’s unique HMT discovery platform, including its proprietary chemical library, expertise, and intellectual property, to discover and develop HMT therapeutics against
Epigenetic enzymes are an important class of proteins that regulate whether genes are turned off or on. The HMT family of epigenetic enzymes contains as many as 96 members, many of which have been associated genetically with cancer and other diseases. Targeting specific HMTs with potent and selective small molecule therapeutics offers the possibility of controlling pathways of gene expression that contribute to diseases.
Robert Gould, PhD, CEO and President of Epizyme said: “Epizyme’s mission is to develop personalized therapeutics for genetically-defined patients based on our understanding of the driving role played by many HMTs in human disease. We are excited to be working with GSK. This collaboration validates our unique discovery platform and the targeted approach we bring to HMT therapeutics.”
About Epizyme
Epizyme is leading the discovery and development of small molecule histone methyl transferase (HMT) inhibitors, a new class of targeted therapeutics for the treatment of genetically-defined cancer patients based on breakthroughs in the field of epigenetics. Genetic alterations in the HMTs are strongly associated with the underlying causes of multiple human diseases, including cancer. Epizyme’s hypothesis-driven approach represents the future of personalized therapeutics by creating better medicines for the right patients more quickly and at lower cost than traditional approaches.