Print“FP-1039 works in a signaling pathway that has been historically untapped for drug development.”
With regulatory approval for its lupus drug Benlysta under its belt, Human Genome Sciences has set its eyes on an experimental cancer biologic developed by FivePrime Therapeutics.
The companies entered into a development and commercialization agreement worth more than $495 million for FivePrime’s FP-1039, a first-in-class biologic that targets multiple fibroblast growth factor ligands. Human Genome Sciences will acquire development and commercialization rights to FP-1039 for multiple cancers in the United States, Canada, and European Union markets, while FivePrime retains minority co-promotion rights in the United States and full development and commercialization rights in the rest of the world, including Asia.
As part of their agreement, HGS will pay the South San Francisco-based startup $50 million as an upfront license fee and up to $445 million based on future development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. FivePrime is also eligible for tiered double-digit royalties on net sales.
FP-1039 works in a signaling pathway that has been historically untapped for drug development, according to Lewis Williams, executive chairman and founder of FivePrime. The company expects it to exert a dual effect on cancer cells both as a result of direct inhibition of tumor cell growth and through inhibition of tumor-associated angiogenesis — both of which are processes mediated by the fibroblast growth factors.
The compound is being evaluated in an ongoing early stage clinical study and patients are currently being screened for a mid-stage trial for a form of endometrial cancer.
FivePrime also has active collaborations with Pfizer in oncology and diabetes, and GlaxoSmithKline for skeletal muscle disorders.
March 18, 2011
http://www.burrillreport.com/article-human_genome_sciences_on_the_prowl_.html
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