Partnering News: Gilead, Roche & More
A roundup of bio/pharmaceutical partnering news from Gilead/Kymera Therapeutics, Roche/Maia Biotechnology and Silo Pharma/Hoth Therapeutics.
* Gilead, Kymera Therapeutics in $750-M Pact for Molecular Glue Degraders for Cancer
* Roche, Maia Biotechnology Partner for Combo Cancer Therapies
* Silo Pharma, Hoth Therapeutics in JV for Obesity Drug
Gilead, Kymera Therapeutics in $750-M Pact for Molecular Glue Degraders for Cancer
Gilead Sciences and Kymera Therapeutics, a Boston-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered into an exclusive option and license agreement to accelerate the development and commercialization of a molecular glue degrader (MGD) program targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) with broad oncology treatment potential, including in breast cancer and other solid tumors, in a deal worth up to $750 million ($85 million upfront and $665 million in milestone payments).
CDK2-directed MGDs are a new type of drug designed to remove CDK2, a contributor in tumor growth, rather than just inhibiting its function, according to information from Gilead Sciences. Traditional inhibitors of CDK2 prevent it from working but often interfere with similar proteins, which can cause undesired side effects. MGDs have the potential to provide more precise, safe, and effective treatments for cancers that rely on CDK2 activity by selectively removing this protein from cells.
Under the agreement, Kymera is eligible to receive up to $750 million in total payments, including up to $85 million in upfront and potential option exercise payments. In addition, Kymera may also receive tiered royalties ranging from high single-digit to mid-teens on net product sales under the collaboration. Kymera will lead all research activities for the CDK2 program. If Gilead exercises its option to exclusively license the program, Gilead will have global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize all products resulting from the collaboration.
Source: Gilead Sciences
Roche, Maia Biotechnology Partner for Combo Cancer Therapies
Roche and Maia Biotechnology, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, have entered a clinical master supply agreement for future studies investigating the combination of Maia’s telomere-targeting agent, ateganosine (THIO), sequenced with Roche’s checkpoint inhibitor, Tecentriq (atezolizumab), for the treatment of multiple hard-to-treat cancers.
Ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is an investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The sequential treatment with ateganosine followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory, according to information from Maia. Ateganosine is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.
Source: Maia Biotechnology
Silo Pharma, Hoth Therapeutics in JV for Obesity Drug
Hoth Therapeutics, a New York based bio/pharmaceutical company, and Silo Pharma, a Sarasota, Florida-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered a strategic joint venture to develop and commercialize a treatment for obesity and metabolic disease based on technology exclusively licensed from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The therapeutic platform centers on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a VA-invented biologic with demonstrated anti-obesity effects and metabolic regulation in preclinical models. The platform targets multiple high-burden conditions, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes, and central obesity.
Source: Silo Pharma
