Quintiles Enters Into Strategic Alliance With Eisai

Quintiles has entered into a strategic alliance with Eisai, to develop six potential oncology products in Eisai’s R&D pipeline. Under the terms of the agreement, Quintiles’ oncology experts will conduct phase II proof-of-concept studies for 11 solid tumor indications.

Reportedly, the goal of the alliance is to determine the efficacy of the products in the shortest possible time in order to bring therapies to market faster for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide.

The strategic alliance will be structured on a risk-sharing basis, with Quintiles funding, in part, the design and conduct of the clinical studies in exchange for success milestone payments. Other financial terms were not disclosed.

The agreement is designed to enable Eisai to extend its oncology program, increasing the number of indications investigated for the six potential products, including eribulin (E7389), E7080, Ontak (denileukin diftitox), E7820, E6201 and E7050. These assets will remain the property of Eisai, with Quintiles having development accountability through the phase II proof-of-concept stage.

In addition to projects covered under the agreement with Quintiles, Eisai is expected to continue ongoing development of 18 additional indications for the same six compounds.

Hideki Hayashi, senior vice president and chief product creation officer of Eisai, said: “This is a significant business model and new strategy for development. We are maximising the potential of Eisai’s oncology compounds. I am pleased that Quintiles and Eisai share the same goals and our incentives are aligned for speed, quality and efficiency. We will explore multiple indications in parallel so that we can deliver our compounds as fast, widely and appropriately as possible for cancer patients’ benefit.”

Derek Winstanly, executive vice president of strategic business partnerships at Quintiles, said: “We are delighted to ally with Eisai to transform and advance its drug development efforts.”