On March 15, 2023 Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated (Prelude) (Nasdaq: PRLD), a clinical-stage precision oncology company, reported a clinical trial collaboration with BeiGene, for future evaluation of its investigational CDK9 inhibitor, PRT2527, in combination with BeiGene’s BTK inhibitor, zanubrutinib, in hematologic malignancies (Press release, Prelude Therapeutics, MAR 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234628792]).

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Inhibition of BTK is an active therapeutic approach in several B cell malignancies and the combination of CDK9 inhibition with BTK inhibition has demonstrated, in recent data publications, synergistic clinical efficacy over BTK inhibition alone; hence, there is a strong rationale for studying the combination in patients with certain hematologic malignancies.

"The opportunity to combine Prelude’s potent, selective and potentially best-in-class CDK9 inhibitor with BeiGene’s next-generation highly efficacious and tolerable BTK inhibitor, zanubrutinib, reflects our commitment to bringing the most promising options to patients," said Jane Huang, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer, Prelude Therapeutics.

Under terms of the clinical trial collaboration agreement, BeiGene will provide zanubrutinib to Prelude, and Prelude will retain all global operational, development and commercialization rights and responsibilities for PRT2527.

About PRT2527

PRT2527 was designed to be a potent and selective Cyclin-dependent kinase 9, or CDK9, inhibitor. In preclinical studies, PRT2527 was shown to reduce MCL1 and MYC protein levels and was highly active in preclinical models at well-tolerated doses. PRT2527 has demonstrated high potency and kinase selectivity which may offer improved efficacy and safety compared to less selective CDK9 inhibitors, allowing for rapid development in combinations. PRT2527 is currently being studied as monotherapy in a Phase 1 dose-escalation study in advanced solid tumors, as well as in relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies.