Italy-based Italfarmaco S.p.A. and San Francisco-based VeriSIM Life, Inc. have entered a discovery collaboration to develop novel small-molecule inhibitors against an undisclosed histone deacetylase (HDAC) target for neuromuscular, fibrotic, and rare diseases.
The collaboration has a total potential value exceeding USD 100 million. VeriSIM is eligible for technology service fees, development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, and royalties on future products; specific upfront economics were not disclosed.
VeriSIM will apply its AtlasGEN platform to generate and optimize synthesizable chemical matter and its BIOiSIM platform to evaluate pharmacology, exposure, safety, biomarkers, and translational potential. Italfarmaco will contribute its expertise in HDAC biology, medicinal chemistry, translational science, and clinical development.
The partnership builds on Italfarmaco's existing HDAC franchise, led by givinostat (Duvyzat), which received US FDA approval for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2024. Italfarmaco is also developing additional selective HDAC programs, including HDAC6- and class I-directed candidates.