Juno Therapeutics acquires Boston-based RedoxTherapies

Redox has a license to vipadenant, a small molecule adenosine A2a receptor antagonist that may disrupt key immunosuppressive pathways in the tumor microenvironment in various cancers.

Juno plans to evaluate the molecule in combination with its engineered T cell platform and in other areas as well.

Redox licensed vipadenant molecule from UK-based pharmaceutical firm Vernalis in October 2014.

Vipadenant potently and selectively blocks adenosine receptor mediated immunosuppression.

In phase I and II clinical trials in about 250 Parkinson's disease patients and healthy volunteers, vipadenant was determined to reach serum levels that predict saturation of the A2a receptor and blockade of signaling.

Apart from vipadenant, Juno has also acquired know-how and intellectual property relating to the development of A2aR antagonists in combination with immuno-modulatory agents.

Juno made an upfront payment of $10m for acquisition. Redox can also receive payments after achieving several clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

Juno Therapeutics chief scientific officer Hy Levitsky said: “Multiple approaches to overcoming the tumor microenvironment will be key in optimizing the clinical benefit of engineered T cells, and T cells more broadly, in the treatment of cancer. Inhibiting the adenosine pathway is one of the most intriguing pathways in this important area of science, and we look forward to testing the hypothesis around this pathway clinically.

“We look forward to integrating this asset into our ongoing research and clinical efforts and exploring it in combination with product candidates from our portfolio."