On August 5, 2021 Sesen Bio (Nasdaq: SESN), a late-stage clinical company developing targeted fusion protein therapeutics for the treatment of patients with cancer, and Eczacibasi Pharmaceuticals Marketing (EIP), part of the Eczacibasi Group and one of Turkey’s pioneering pharmaceutical companies with a focus on innovative, branded products, reported that the companies have entered into a licensing agreement for the registration and commercialization of Vicineum for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)1 (Press release, Sesen Bio, AUG 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234586044]). The Company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for the Company’s lead program, Vicineum, is currently under Priority Review with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC in the US with a target Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of August 18, 2021.
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"EIP is a partner of choice in Turkey and has a proven track record and experience in marketing innovative, life-saving medicines with an expertise in oncology and urology," said Dr. Thomas Cannell, president and chief executive officer of Sesen Bio. "This partnership with EIP marks a further step in realizing our mission to save and improve the lives of patients, and in achieving the significant global opportunity projected for Vicineum."
"International partnerships are a central component of EIP’s growth strategy and Sesen Bio is an ideal partner given their mission and expertise in NMIBC," said Muge Satir, General Manager of EIP. "Vicineum is a potential first-in-class treatment with a differentiated clinical profile which we believe can make a significant impact on patients with NMIBC. We look forward to working with Sesen Bio closely to expeditiously bring Vicineum to patients in Turkey."
In Turkey, bladder cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer with about 36,000 cases, and it ranks 11th in cause of death with approximately 4,000 deaths per year. Approximately 75% of these patients are diagnosed with NMIBC, of which many will initially be treated with BCG. If BCG fails, there are no second line treatment options for patients except radical cystectomy, total surgical removal of the bladder. Additionally, over 99% of the population in Turkey is fully insured with access to medications and healthcare services. If approved in Turkey, Vicineum will be the first product approved for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC in over 20 years with a high level of access to physicians and their patients anticipated.
Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Sesen granted EIP an exclusive license to register and commercialize Vicineum in Turkey for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. Sesen Bio will receive an upfront payment of $1.5 million and is eligible to receive additional regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Upon commercialization in Turkey, Sesen Bio is also entitled to receive a 30% royalty on net sales in Turkey. Sesen retains full development and commercialization rights for Vicineum for the treatment of NMIBC in the US and the rest of the world excluding Greater China, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Turkey.
In the US, the Company believes it remains on track for an FDA decision on its BLA for Vicineum by the target PDUFA date of August 18, 2021.
Hogan Lovells and Paksoy acted as legal advisors to Sesen Bio for this transaction.
1
The geography under the licensing agreement includes Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
About Vicineum
Vicineum, a locally administered fusion protein, is Sesen Bio’s lead product candidate being developed for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Vicineum is comprised of a recombinant fusion protein that targets epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antigens on the surface of tumor cells to deliver a potent protein payload, Pseudomonas Exotoxin A. Vicineum is constructed with a stable, genetically engineered peptide tether to ensure the payload remains attached until it is internalized by the cancer cell, which is believed to decrease the risk of toxicity to healthy tissues, thereby improving its safety. In prior clinical trials conducted by Sesen Bio, EpCAM has been shown to be overexpressed in NMIBC cells with minimal to no EpCAM expression observed on normal bladder cells. Sesen Bio is currently in the follow-up stage of a Phase 3 registration trial in the US for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. In February 2021, the US FDA accepted for filing the Company’s BLA for Vicineum for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC and granted the application Priority Review with a target PDUFA date of August 18, 2021. Additionally, Sesen Bio believes that cancer cell-killing properties of Vicineum promote an anti-tumor immune response that may potentially combine well with immuno-oncology drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors. For this reason, the activity of Vicineum in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC is also being explored at the US National Cancer Institute in combination with AstraZeneca’s immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab.