Bristol-Myers Dumps Exelixis Drug

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) is backing out of a collaboration with Exelixis (Nasdaq: EXEL) to develop XL184 for cancer. The two companies "were not able to align on the scope, breadth and pace of the ongoing clinical development of XL184" because of progress in Bristol's internal cancer drug pipeline, according to an Exelixis statement. Bristol will pay South San Francisco-based Exelixis $17 million to terminate the partnership. Bristol had already paid Exelixis $240 million as part of the deal first signed in December 2008, according to Reuters. Exelixis CEO George Scangos told the wire service that his company has the resources to develop XL184 on its own "for some time," and added that it may find another partner.

More from Xconomy.com:

• Illume's iZUP Mobile App Padlocks Cell Phones to Eliminate the Temptation to Talk or Text While Driving
• Glaxo Stops Study of Sirtris "Red Wine" Drug in Cancer Patients
• C-Crete Wins MIT $100K for Making Cleaner Concrete