On February 7, 2024 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) and Redx Pharma plc (AIM: REDX) reported that the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Jazz will acquire Redx’s KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma virus) inhibitor program (Press release, Redx Pharma, FEB 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234639916]). Jazz and Redx will collaborate to advance candidates through IND-enabling studies; Jazz will be responsible for all clinical development, regulatory, manufacturing and commercialization activities.
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"KRAS is a well-validated oncology target and there remains a high unmet need for innovation in this area based on challenges in developing molecules to target specific KRAS mutations. Redx has discovered a number of preclinical KRAS candidates and we plan to leverage our collective oncology development expertise to identify and advance the most promising molecules toward the clinic," said Robert Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E., executive vice president, global head of research and development of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "This transaction further expands our early-stage oncology pipeline, and we are excited to explore novel approaches to improving treatment options for cancer patients."
Lisa Anson, Chief Executive Officer of Redx, commented: "Once again, our distinguished expertise in medicinal chemistry has been recognized and we are pleased to secure another strategic transaction with Jazz, with whom we have a track record of collaboration. This agreement will allow us to collaborate on the advancement of novel KRAS inhibitors and we look forward to supporting Jazz in progressing these candidates through IND-enabling studies. Partnerships remain a key pillar of our corporate strategy, allowing us to advance what we believe are differentiated molecules in areas of high unmet need, while also creating long-term shareholder value through nondilutive funding, with the upfront milestone payment from this agreement extending our current cash runway into 2025."
Transaction Terms
Under the terms of the agreement, Jazz will make an upfront payment to Redx of $10 million for all rights, patents, title and interest relating to Redx’s proprietary KRAS inhibitor program, which includes G12D selective and panKRAS molecules. Redx is eligible to receive up to $870 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments from Jazz, with the next milestone being an IND clearance from this program from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Redx is also eligible for tiered, mid-single digit percentage royalties based on any future net sales.
As part of a separate collaboration agreement, signed in parallel, Jazz will pay Redx to perform research and preclinical development activities with the goal of completing IND-enabling studies for both KRAS profiles.
About KRAS Inhibitors
Rat sarcoma virus (RAS) is the most frequently mutated oncogene across different cancer types, with KRAS mutations accounting for approximately 85% of these mutated oncogenes. Therefore, KRAS inhibitors targeting multiple commonly occurring mutations may offer a treatment option for large segments of colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancer patients who currently have limited treatment options. Developing orally bioavailable agents that generate optimized target coverage is a key opportunity for the next wave of KRAS-targeting agents that act beyond the G12C mutation.