AstraZeneca and KYM Biosciences have entered into a global exclusive licence agreement for CMG901, a potential first-in-class antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Claudin 18.2, a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
Under the licence agreement, AstraZeneca will be responsible for the research, development, manufacture and commercialisation of CMG901 globally.
CMG901 is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of Claudin 18.2-positive solid tumours, including gastric cancer. Preliminary results from the Phase I trial have shown an encouraging clinical profile for CMG901, with early signs of anti-tumour activity across the dose levels tested.
Puja Sapra, senior vice president, Biologics Engineering & Oncology Targeted Delivery, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “We are excited by the opportunity to accelerate the development of CMG901, a potential new medicine for patients with Claudin18.2-expressing cancers. CMG901 strengthens our growing pipeline of antibody drug conjugates and supports our ambition to expand treatment options and transform outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.”
Dr Bo Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Keymed and Board chairman of KYM Biosciences, said: “We are pleased to announce our agreement with AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company with leadership in developing and commercializing novel anti-cancer therapies. This is not only a recognition of CMG901, a potential first-in-class Claudin 18.2 ADC, but also Keymed’s internal discovery and development capabilities. The global scope of this agreement has the potential to benefit patients in China, and throughout the world.”
AstraZeneca will make an upfront payment of $63m on transaction closing and additional development and sales-related milestone payments of up to $1.1bn to KYM Biosciences as well as tiered royalties up to low double digits.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances.
