Days after linking up with Boehringer Ingelheim, Forma Therapeutics has entered into another oncology alliance, this time with Johnson & Johnson.

The latest deal, with J&J's Janssen Biotech unit, will see Forma discover and develop drugs against a panel of tumour metabolism targets. Cashwise, Forma did not disclose how much it has banked upfront but said it will receive project and milestone funding over several years of up to $700 million if development, regulatory and commercialisation milestones are achieved, plus royalties.

Interestingly, if certain milestones are achieved during the initial phase of the collaboration, Forma will have the chance to co-develop and maintain North American commercial rights to one programme of Janssen’s selection. In addition, the companies can expand the pact to include additional targets beyond tumour metabolism.

Forma chief executive Steven Tregay said the collaboration "further strengthens our drug discovery capabilities and also allows us to look to the future with an opportunity to maintain North American rights, which is a key element of our strategy to create long-term shareholder value".

The J&J link-up comes just after a deal was signed with Boehringer which will focus on discovering small molecule drugs against "oncology-relevant protein-protein interactions". Cashwise, Forma will receive $65 million in upfront payments and research funding and could be eligible for up to $750 million in pre-commercial milestones for programmes resulting from the collaboration.