Innovent, Incyte sign collaboration deal for three clinical-stage product candidates

The product candidates include pemigatinib (FGFR1/2/3 inhibitor), itacitinib (JAK1 inhibitor) and parsaclisib (PI3Kδ inhibitor).

Under the terms of the agreement, Innovent will pay Incyte US$40m in cash up front, and Incyte shall be eligible to receive an additional US$20m in consideration in connection with the first investigational new drug (IND) application by Innovent in China, which is expected to be achieved in 2019.

Innovent will receive the rights to develop and commercialize the three assets in hematology and oncology in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Incyte CEO Hervé Hoppenot said: “The collaboration and partnership with Innovent provides us with an important and strategic opportunity to further serve the oncology community around the world by potentially bringing new, innovative medicines to patients with high unmet medical needs in China.

“We believe Innovent’s experienced leadership team and sizeable clinical network will expand our clinical trials for itacitinib, pemigatinib and parsaclisib, and, if any of these product candidates are approved, will provide access to our innovative therapies to patients and healthcare providers in China.”

Innovent CEO and president Dr Michael DC Yu said: “We’re very pleased to enter into this collaboration with Incyte, a well-recognized innovative global biopharmaceutical company.

“This collaboration not only strengthens our portfolio by adding three potentially best-in-class clinical-stage targeted therapies, but, we believe, also proves that Innovent is an ideal partner for world-class pharmaceutical companies coming to China—transforming Innovent from a company primarily focused on monoclonal antibodies to one with a broader oncology focus that develops potentially innovative treatments regardless of molecule size.”

As per the terms of the collaboration agreement, Innovent will pay Incyte US$40 million in cash up front and Incyte will be eligible to receive an additional US$20 million in consideration in connection with the first IND filing in China, which is expected to be achieved in 2019. Innovent will receive rights to develop and commercialize three product candidates (pemigatinib, itacitinib and parsaclisib) in hematology and oncology in the Innovent territory of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

In addition, Incyte will be eligible to receive up to US$129 million in potential development and regulatory milestones, and up to US$202.5 million in potential commercial milestones. Incyte will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties from the high teens to the low twenties on future sales of products resulting from the collaboration. Incyte retains an option to assist in the promotion of the three product candidates in China.

The transaction is effective immediately upon the execution of the strategic collaboration agreement. Further financial details were not disclosed.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) play an important role in tumor cell proliferation and survival, migration and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels). Activating mutations, translocations and gene amplifications in FGFRs are closely correlated with the development of various cancers.

Pemigatinib is an oral inhibitor of FGFR isoforms 1, 2 and 3 which, in preclinical studies, has demonstrated potency and selective pharmacologic activity against cancer cells with FGFR alterations.

Phase 2 studies investigating the safety and efficacy of pemigatinib monotherapy across several FGFR-driven malignancies are ongoing—the FIGHT (FIbroblast Growth factor receptor in oncology and Hematology Trials) clinical trial program currently comprises FIGHT-201 in patients with metastatic or surgically unresectable bladder cancer, including with activating FGFR3 alterations; FIGHT-202 in patients with metastatic or surgically unresectable cholangiocarcinoma who have failed previous therapy, including with activating FGFR2 translocations; and FIGHT-203 in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms with activating FGFR1 translocations.

FIGHT-302, a randomized Phase 3 trial in newly-diagnosed patients with cholangiocarcinoma and activating FGFR2 translocations, is expected to be initiated before the end of 2018 (NCT03656536).

Itacitinib (INCB039110) is a novel, potent, and selective JAK1 inhibitor currently in clinical studies for the treatment of treatment naïve acute and chronic GVHD, and non-small cell lung cancer in combination with osimertinib, an EGFR inhibitor. A Phase 3 study (GRAVITAS-301) of itacitinib for the treatment of acute GVHD is underway, with data expected in 2019.

GRAVITAS-309 (NCT03584516) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal Phase 3 study evaluating itacitinib or placebo in combination with corticosteroids as a first-line treatment for patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) which is expected to be initiated early in 2019.

Parsaclisib (INCB50465) is an investigational novel oral inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) isoforms. PI3Kδ is an important anticancer target implicated in malignant B-cell growth, survival and proliferation which, in preclinical studies, has demonstrated potency and selectivity in preclinical studies and has potential therapeutic utility in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies such as lymphoma.

Emerging data suggest that PI3Kδ may also be an important target in the solid tumor microenvironment. The CITADEL (Clinical Investigation of TArgeted PI3K-DELta Inhibition in Lymphomas) clinical trial program is currently evaluating parsaclisib in several ongoing Phase 2 trials as a treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphomas (follicular, marginal zone and mantle cell) Parsaclisib is also being studied in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials as part of a combination therapy for patients with myelofibrosis, advanced or metastatic solid tumors and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Source: Company Press Release