Agios scores $130M upfront from ambitious Celgene pact

Celgene is cozying up to 2009 Fierce 15 winner Agios Pharmaceuticals with an ambitious licensing deal that includes $120 million in milestones for each successful new drug program that springs off of Agios' platform for cancer metabolism along with a hefty $130 million upfront--an eye-popping figure for a collaboration that is getting started at the preclinical stage. The upfront fee includes an equity investment. Celgene gains an option to commercialize any of the drugs that roll off the...