Genentech, Constellation Enter Largest Epigenetics Tie-Up Yet

17 Jan 2012

• By Paul Bonanos

For $95 million guaranteed, Genentech gains rights to broad research in the emerging field over a three-year period, as well as an option to acquire the start-up outright.

Genentech Inc. became the latest pharma to make its move in the closely-watched emerging field of epigenetics, thanks to a new partnership with Constellation Pharmaceuticals Inc. that could lead to an outright acquisition of the well-funded start-up.

Genentech’s $95 million guaranteed payment to Constellation is believed to be the largest yet for an epigenetics start-up, dwarfing the...