by Ben
Adams |
Aug 1, 2018 9:30am
Novartis has penned a
pact with Shanghai-based biotech Laekna that will see it work on a pair of oral
pan-Akt kinase inhibitors.
Specifically, the deal is
for afuresertib (ASB183) and uprosertib (UPB795), two cancer drugs in phase 1
and 2 trials for a variety of cancers and originally developed by
GlaxoSmithKline before the asset swap between the two Big Pharmas a few years
back.
Both have been tested
against ovarian and gastric cancers, multiple myeloma, melanoma and other
indications.
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But not all have gone
smoothly, as two years ago, Novartis and Dana-Farber killed off a phase 2 trial for uprosertib (a.k.a.
GSK2141795) and another drug in cervical cancer in the U.S. due to “reasons
related to drug supply.”
Novartis said in a statement that it will have an equity
stake in Laekna, along with upfront and development milestone payments, and
royalties on future sales. But it gave no details on just what this is worth.
Laekna says it has
already “has mapped out” several clear registration paths for NDA approval,
potentially as the first in class medicine.
The two are no strangers
to each other, as last year they struck a deal that saw the biotech acquire
global rights to develop a CYP17 inhibitor (CFG920), an oral androgen
inhibitor, for prostate cancer.
"Novartis is a
global leader in oncology drug innovation. This is the second licensing
agreement between Laekna and Novartis, adding to the previous licensing of
CFG920 less than a year ago," said Dr. Chris Lu, founder and CEO of
Laekna.
"We have
demonstrated to Novartis that Laekna is a valuable collaborator with our strong
commitment, experienced team and financing support from the top investment
partners."
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