Our strategy is to identify and develop novel product candidates for underserved indications, and to commercialize those candidates directly, and through collaborations with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. During this growth stage, an important part of our strategy for accelerating growth involves the selection of corporate partners to complement and leverage our drug discovery and development efforts.

Our strategic relationships with corporate partners help to speed products to market while reducing the financial risks inherent in drug development. Our use of strategic alliances is also designed to support our goal to build a commercial presence. Our current collaborations include the following:


GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Our agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (formerly SmithKline Beecham) in 1997 was the culmination of Encysive's efforts to prove that Argatroban had the potential to become a safe and effective alternative to heparin. By partnering with GSK, Encysive gained financial and critical marketing mass necessary for the successful launch of our first product. The success of this relationship is further illustrated by the ongoing joint efforts of Encysive and GSK to expand the use of Argatroban into other indications, including percutaneous coronary intervention and hemodialysis.


Mitsubishi Tokyo Pharmaceuticals (MTP)
Our lead product, Argatroban, was originally discovered by MTP and launched in Japan under the name NOVASTAN® for the treatment of ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and for treating patients on hemodialysis who are antithrombin III deficient. Encysive licensed the rights to Argatroban in 1993 to accelerate our commercialization strategy. Since that time, MTP and Encysive have worked together to see the FDA approval of Argatroban in the United States and are now working together on the successful launch of NOVASTAN in other markets throughout the world.


Schering-Plough
A significant validation of Encysive's research occurred with the signing in June, 2000 of the Research Collaboration and Licensing Agreement with Schering-Plough for the development of integrin antagonists. This agreement not only provides funding for an early stage program, but it also brings to the program the resources of the world's leader in the development and marketing of asthma products.