Celgene to Acquire Avila Therapeutics

This acquisition is in our views a landmark deal and a strong validation of the emerging trend in covalent (irreversible) interaction between a small molecule and its putative pharmacological target. It is fair to say that in the past, a vast majority of pharmaceutical medicinal chemists have been reluctant to undertake the development of covalently-bound small chemical entities fearing lack of specificity and the associated long-term side effects (off-target effects). For years, compound libraries have been selected to remove covalent molecules and the covalent nature of the molecule/target interaction considered a red flag during the Hit to Lead phase.

Avila has mastered the structure activity relationship (SAR) work centered around covalent/reactive molecules and consequently allowed a new "class" of potent drug molecules to emerge. Applications of this new approach are broad across all major therapeutic areas.

We wish Celgene the best of success in exploring this approach in late-stage clinical trials as it may open new avenues across the medicinal chemistry world.