Perlara PBC enters partnership with Novartis

Perlara PBC, formerly known as Perlstein Lab PBC, has agreed to a drug discovery and development partnership with Novartis that will lead to the identification of new definitive therapeutics for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders.
The collaboration will begin with the lead program Niemann-Pick Type C Disease.
"Our expertise in whole-animal phenotypic screens, model organism genetics and automation is complemented by Novartis' world-class pathway and chemical biology expertise, clinical experience and global leadership," Perlara PBC Chief Executive Officer Ethan Perlstein said. "We are eager to begin this next chapter so that our platform technology and discovery programs can move faster to our goal of helping patients and families impacted by diseases with high unmet need."
In 2014, Perlara PBC launched two discovery programs for Niemann-Pick Type C and NGLY1 Deficiency. Perlara PBC also received funding from Y Combinator earlier this year.
According to the agreement, Novartis has made an equity investment in the company. The financial terms of the collaborative agreement have yet to be disclosed.