Pharmacyclics, Inc. has received a $7 million milestone payment from Les Laboratoires Servier (Servier) for its histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, PCI-24781 / S 78454. The companies began collaborating in April 2009. Servier has conducted several Phase I/II trials in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies and is now focused on its Phase II programs to establish a registration pathway for PCI-24781 / S 78454.

“Servier is delighted to work with Pharmacyclics under this partnership,” said Emmanuel Canet M.D., Ph.D., Servier’s president, R&D. “The molecule PCI-24781 / S 78454 has performed well in a variety of early stage trials and exceeds our expectations. We plan to further expand the clinical development of PCI-27481 / S 78454.”

Mr. Robert Duggan, Pharmacyclics chief executive officer and chairman, said, “We are very pleased with the progress of PCI-24781 / S 78454 and the alliance with Servier. We are looking forward to work closely with our partner to advance this molecule to the market.”