Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On May 1, 2009, Zalicus Inc. ("Zalicus") entered into a Research Collaboration and License Agreement (the "Collaboration Agreement") with the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. ("Novartis") focused on the discovery of novel anti-cancer combinations using the Zalicus combination high throughput screening, or cHTS, technology platform. The research program under the Collaboration Agreement had an initial two-year term that could be extended by Novartis for three additional one-year periods, and in January 2011, Novartis extended the research program for an additional year, into May 2012.

On April 24, 2012, Novartis and Zalicus entered into an Amendment to the Collaboration Agreement (the "Amendment"), to extend the funded research program under the Collaboration Agreement for an additional year until May 1, 2013 and to modify the basis for up to $3.0 million in funded research payments under the Collaboration Agreement from the funding of Zalicus full-time equivalents to payments based on Zalicus combination screening deliverables.

The foregoing description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full Amendment, which will be attached as an exhibit to Zalicus's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2012.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On April 26, 2012, Zalicus issued a press release announcing the extension of the research program with Novartis. The full text of Zalicus's press release regarding the announcement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press release of Zalicus Inc. dated April 26, 2012.