Genentech's BD head spotlights neuroscience pipeline

Thomas Zioncheck, business development executive for neuroscience, ophthalmology, and research tools and technology at Genentech, talks to Scrip about the company's early-stage partnering strategy and R&D goals outside of oncology. Zioncheck discusses Genentech's multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's portfolios, therapy areas not as widely promoted as the company's active and expansive immuno-oncology pipeline. Genentech's BD head also highlights the company's early-stage development program for a novel amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) therapy, a disease that has garnered more attention since the widely-shared ALS Ice Bucket Challenge—a social media fundraising and awareness campaign. The company is developing RG6000, a dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) inhibitor, for the treatment of ALS. The drug, a new molecular entity, is currently in Phase I trials.

Lucie Ellis – Senior Writer, Pharma Intelligence In Vivo/Pink Sheet/Scrip

Interviewee: Thomas F. Zioncheck – Global Head, Business Development for Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, and Research Tools and Technologies, Genentech