Global Briefs: BMS, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, GSK & More
A roundup of news from the large and mid-sized bio/pharmaceutical companies featuring Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, GSK, Novo Nordisk, and Daiichi Sankyo.
For the latest news roundup on small and Emerging Pharma companies, see Biotech Briefs.
Partnering News
* BMS, Janux Therapeutics in $850-M Oncology Drug Pact
* BMS, Microsoft in AI Oncology Drug Pact
* AstraZeneca, AbelZeta in $630-M CAR T Pact
* Pfizer, Novavax in $530-M Adjuvant Licensing Pact
* GSK, Alteogen in Hyaluronidase Drug Delivery Pact
* Novo Nordisk, Aspect Biosystems in Diabetes Cellular Medicines Pact
General
* Daiichi Sankyo Opens New Canada HQ
Partnering News
BMS, Janux Therapeutics in $850-M Oncology Drug Pact
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Janux Therapeutics, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an agreement to develop an undisclosed tumor-activated therapeutic targeting a validated solid tumor antigen expressed across several human cancer types, in a deal worth up to $850 million ($50 million upfront and $800 million in milestone payments).
As part of the collaboration, Janux will complete preclinical development up to investigational new drug (IND) submission. BMS will hold the IND and be responsible for subsequent development and global commercialization, with Janux remaining actively involved, supporting BMS through completion of the first Phase I clinical study.
Under the agreement, Janux may receive up to $50 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments and is eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestones up to approximately $800 million in the aggregate. Janux is also entitled to tiered royalties on global product sales.
Source: Janux Therapeutics
BMS, Microsoft in AI Oncology Drug Pact
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has entered an agreement with Microsoft aiming to accelerate early detection of lung cancer. Under the agreement, US FDA-cleared radiology AI algorithms will be deployed via Microsoft’s precision imaging network, part of Microsoft for Healthcare radiology solutions. AI capabilities available through precision imaging network can automatically analyze X-ray and CT images to help identify lung disease, helping reduce clinical workload. The AI algorithms can help surface hard to detect lung nodules, potentially identifying patients at earlier stages of lung cancer.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
AstraZeneca, AbelZeta in $630-M CAR T Pact
AstraZeneca and AbelZeta Pharma, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company developing proprietary cell-based therapeutic products, have entered an agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire AbelZeta’s 50% share of the China development and commercialization rights to C-CAR031, a hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, in a deal worth up to $630 million.
Under the agreement, AbelZeta will be entitled to receive up to $630 million from AstraZeneca including an upfront payment, and development, regulatory and sales milestone payments for the program in China. Under a prior agreement with AbelZeta, AstraZeneca owns the development, manufacturing and commercialization rights to C-CAR031 in the rest of world, outside of China. AbelZeta is also eligible to receive additional milestone payments and royalties for rest of world development.
Source: AbelZeta Pharma
Pfizer, Novavax in $530-M Adjuvant LicensingPact
Pfizer and Novavax, a Gaithersburg, Maryland-based vaccine company, have entered an agreement for use of Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant, in a deal worth up to $530 million ($30 million upfront and $500 million in development and sales milestone payments). Under the agreement, Pfizer will obtain a non-exclusive license for Matrix-M for use with Pfizer’s products in up to two disease areas.
In addition to milestone payments, Novavax is eligible to receive tiered high mid-single digit percentage royalty payments on sales of any product by Pfizer that includes Matrix-M. Pfizer will be solely responsible for the development and commercialization of its products utilizing Matrix-M. Novavax will be responsible for the supply of Matrix-M.
Source: Novavax
GSK, Alteogen in Hyaluronidase Drug Delivery Pact
GSK and Alteogen, a Daejon, South Korea-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an agreement under which Tesaro, a subsidiary of GSK, will acquire worldwide rights to use ALT-B4, Alteogen’s hyaluronidase-utilizing Hybrozyme technology for the development and commercialization of a subcutaneous formulation of dostarlimab, an immunotherapy drug, in a deal worth up to $285 million ($20 million upfront and $265 million in milestone payments). Hybrozyme technology enables large-volume subcutaneous administration of drugs that are typically administered as an IV infusion.
Alteogen will receive an upfront payment of $20 million and is eligible to receive milestone payments up to $265 million upon achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales milestones. Additionally, Alteogen will be entitled to receive royalties on the sales of the commercialized product. Alteogen will be responsible for clinical and commercial supply of ALT-B4 to Tesaro.
Source: Alteogen
Novo Nordisk, Aspect Biosystems in Diabetes Cellular Medicines Pact
Novo Nordisk and Aspect Biosystems, a Vancouver, Canada-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered a new phase of their partnership to develop advanced cellular medicines for diabetes. Since 2023, Aspect and Novo Nordisk have collaborated to develop cellular medicines designed to replace, repair, or supplement biological functions to deliver disease-modifying therapies.
Aspect has acquired rights to stem cell-derived islet cell and hypoimmune cell-engineering technologies from Novo Nordisk and will lead development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Novo Nordisk will have defined rights to expand its role in later-stage development and commercialization.
Novo Nordisk will make an additional equity investment in Aspect and provide research funding to advance these potentially curative therapies. Novo Nordisk will be eligible to receive royalties and milestone payments on future product sales from Aspect.
Source: Novo Nordisk
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Daiichi Sankyo Opens New Canadian HQ
Daiichi Sankyo has opened its permanent Canadian headquarters in Toronto, including additional operational and research and development investment. Over the past two years, Daiichi Sankyo has supported 18 oncology clinical trials across 43 sites in Canada.
Source: Daiichi Sankyo
