IDEAYA Biosciences Inc
For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 20, 2024.
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FY2023 · Filed Feb 20, 2024
Contents
Item 1. Business
Company Overview
We are a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics for patient populations selected using molecular diagnostics. Our clinical pipeline includes four potential first-in-class clinical-stage product candidates – darovasertib (PKC), IDE397 (MAT2A), IDE161 (PARG) and GSK101 (Pol Theta Helicase). We own or control all commercial rights of the three most-advanced of these product candidates: darovasertib, IDE397, and IDE161. We are also advancing our Werner Helicase program for which we have selected a development candidate in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, or GSK and, subject to investigational new drug-, or IND-, enabling studies, are targeting an IND in 2024. We also have multiple earlier-stage preclinical programs. We have established selective, value-accretive collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies to support our clinical development activities.
Our most advanced clinical program is evaluating darovasertib, or IDE196 which we in-licensed from Novartis, a small molecule protein kinase C, or PKC, inhibitor, in uveal melanoma, or UM. We have initiated a potential registration-enabling Phase 2/3 clinical trial, designated as IDE196-002, to evaluate darovasertib in combination with crizotinib, Pfizer’s investigational cMET inhibitor, in patients having metastatic UM, or MUM, with human leukocyte antigen-, or HLA-A*02:01 negative, or HLA-A2(-), serotype, as part of a second Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement, or Second Pfizer agreement, with Pfizer. We have achieved double-digit patient enrollment and have opened multiple clinical sites, including international sites, where we are recruiting patients for enrollment in this planned global Phase 2/3 clinical trial. We reported positive interim clinical data in April 2023 from our Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating darovasertib and crizotinib in MUM. We also reported updated darovasertib clinical top line results, circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA, data and HLA-A2(-)/(+) data subsets from this Phase 2 clinical trial, as well as HLA-A2(-)/(+) prevalence based on our broader clinical experience in MUM, at the European Society for Medical Oncology’s Congress in October 2023, or ESMO 2023. We are targeting clinical program update(s) in 2024.
We are also planning to enroll additional HLA-A*02:01 positive, or HLA-A2(+), patients as an independent clinical strategy to address HLA-A2(+) MUM patients, in a clinical study. This strategy reflects observed darovasertib clinical activity irrespective of HLA serotype as reported at ESMO 2023, and demonstrates our commitment to fully address the high unmet medical need in MUM. We are further evaluating darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in a Phase 2 expansion arm of IDE196-001 clinical trial in patients with cutaneous melanoma, alternatively referred to as skin melanoma.
We separately initiated and have achieved double-digit patient enrollment in our Phase 2 clinical trial, designated as IDE196-009, evaluating darovasertib as single-agent neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy in patients having primary UM, with ongoing enrollment and multiple clinical sites open, and are targeting a clinical efficacy update in mid-year 2024 and regulatory guidance update in 2024. We are also supporting evaluation of darovasertib as single-agent neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy in primary UM in an ongoing investigator-sponsored clinical trial, or IST, captioned as “Neoadjuvant / Adjuvant trial of Darovasertib in Ocular Melanoma”, or NADOM, and led by St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney with the participation of Alfred Health and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne and are targeting a clinical efficacy update in mid-year 2024. We reported proof-of-concept evidence in April 2023, June 2023 and October 2023 for darovasertib as neoadjuvant therapy in primary UM.
IDE397, our small molecule methionine adenosyltransferase 2a, or MAT2A, inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. We are actively enrolling into the Phase 2 monotherapy expansion cohort in selected priority indications for patients having tumors with methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, or MTAP, gene deletion, including squamous non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, bladder, gastric and esophageal cancers. We observed IDE397 monotherapy responses in multiple priority solid tumor types based on experience across several patients in the early phase of the Phase 2 dose expansion.
In collaboration with Amgen as part of the Amgen Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement, or Amgen CTCSA, we initiated patient enrollment in the Amgen-sponsored Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, the Amgen investigational MTA-cooperative protein arginine methyltransferase 5, or PRMT5, inhibitor, in patients having tumors with MTAP deletion, or the IDE397/AMG 193 combination study. This potential first-in-class synthetic lethality combination targets mechanistically complementary nodes of the MTAP methylation pathway – MAT2A and PRMT5 – and is supported by data demonstrating preclinical anti-tumor efficacy presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, or AACR 2023.
We are also planning to evaluate IDE397 in combination with sacituzumab-govitecan-hziy, or Trodelvy, Gilead’s Trop-2 directed anti-body conjugate, or ADC, in patients having MTAP deletion bladder cancer, in an IDEAYA-sponsored clinical trial pursuant to a Clinical Study Collaboration and Supply Agreement, or Gilead CSCSA, with Gilead Sciences, Inc., or Gilead.
IDE161, our small molecule poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, or PARG, inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial, which is currently in monotherapy expansion, with a strategic focus in estrogen receptor positive, or ER+, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, or Her2(-),breast cancer with homologous recombination deficiency, or HRD, as well as other solid tumors with HRD, such as endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. We are, in parallel, continuing with Phase 1 dose optimization of IDE161 in patients having tumors with HRD. We have observed multiple partial responses, or PRs, by RECIST 1.1. and tumor shrinkage in priority solid tumor types early in the Phase 1 dose escalation and at the expansion dose. We received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for IDE161 for ovarian cancer and breast cancer indications, specifically for the treatment of (i) adult, pretreated, platinum-resistant advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer patients having tumors with BRCA1/2 mutations and (ii) adult, pretreated, advanced or metastatic hormone receptor positive, or HR+, Her2- and BRCA1/2 mutant breast cancer patients.
GSK101 (IDE705), our Pol Theta Helicase inhibitor, is a potential first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the helicase domain of Polymerase Theta, or Pol Theta. GSK101 was discovered and evaluated in preclinical studies in collaboration with GSK. GSK is evaluating GSK101 in a GSK-sponsored clinical trial in combination with niraparib, the GSK small molecule inhibitor of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase, or PARP, for the treatment of patients having tumors with BRCA or other homologous recombination, or HR, mutations, or HRD. GSK has dosed the first patient in this Phase 1 clinical trial.
GSK is leading clinical development for GSK101 and is responsible for all research and development costs for the Pol Theta program. In August 2023, we earned, and in October 2023 we received, a $7.0 million milestone payment upon acceptance of the IND for GSK101 by the FDA. We are next eligible to receive a potential additional $10.0 million milestone payment upon initiation of Phase 1 clinical dose expansion.
We have selected a Werner Helicase Inhibitor Development Candidate, or DC, in collaboration with GSK. This Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC is targeting the helicase domain of the Werner, or WRN, protein, for patients having tumors with high microsatellite instability, or MSI. In October 2023, we earned a $3.0 million milestone from GSK in connection with IND-enabling studies for the Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC. We are, in collaboration with GSK, targeting an IND submission in 2024 to enable first-in-human clinical evaluation of our Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC in high MSI tumors. We are next eligible to receive a potential additional $7.0 million milestone payment upon IND clearance for the Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC.
We have multiple wholly owned preclinical-stage programs on undisclosed targets to enable the next wave of precision medicine therapeutics in our pipeline. These preclinical programs are focused on opportunities that we believe have the potential to be first-in-class and/or best-in-class. We are targeting multiple DC nominations for these programs in 2024.
We have established a robust precision medicine research platform with capabilities for identification and validation of new targets and biomarkers, drug discovery and translational biology. Our approach integrates small molecule drug discovery with extensive capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers to develop targeted therapies for select patient populations that are most likely to benefit from these targeted therapies. Our small molecule drug discovery expertise includes discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics. The drug discovery platform includes our proprietary chemical library, INQUIRE™, structure-based drug design enabled by extensive structural biology and crystallography capabilities, and our proprietary content-based machine-learning engine, HARMONY™, providing effective and efficient molecular design and structure-activity-relationship, or SAR, cycles. We have deep research and development expertise in synthetic lethality—which represents an emerging class of precision medicine targets. We are applying these capabilities to develop a robust pipeline in precision medicine oncology.
We have assembled a team of cancer biologists, drug discovery chemists, translational biologists and drug development professionals with broad experience at leading oncology organizations. Our team is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Yujiro S Hata. We are also guided by a renowned scientific advisory board made up of key scientific and clinical thought leaders.
Strategy
Our objective is to develop and commercialize innovative precision medicine drugs that indirectly or directly target the genetic drivers of cancer in order to provide therapies for defined patient populations. The principal components of our strategy are to:
Continue to efficiently develop our clinical-stage product candidates, darovasertib, IDE397, IDE161, and GSK101. We are evaluating darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in a potential registrational clinical trial in patients having MUM. We are also evaluating darovasertib as monotherapy in a Phase 2 clinical trial in primary UM. We are further evaluating darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with cutaneous melanoma. We are currently evaluating IDE397 in a Phase 2 monotherapy expansion cohort in selected priority indications for patients having tumors with MTAP gene deletion, including NSCLC, bladder, gastric and esophageal cancers. We are currently evaluating IDE161 in a Phase 1 expansion trial in homologous recombination deficiency, or HRD, solid tumor types, including ER+ HER- breast, colorectal, endometrial, and prostate cancers. We received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for IDE161 for ovarian cancer and breast cancer indications, specifically for the treatment of (i) adult, pretreated, platinum-resistant advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer patients having tumors with BRCA1/2 mutations and (ii) adult, pretreated, advanced or metastatic hormone receptor positive, or HR+, Her2- and BRCA1/2 mutant breast cancer patients.
Advance our preclinical pipeline of small molecule product candidates in synthetic lethality into clinical development. Our synthetic lethality pipeline includes multiple preclinical research programs, including our Werner Helicase program. We have selected a development candidate in collaboration with GSK and, subject to IND-enabling studies, are targeting an IND submission in 2024. We are also continuing to invest in our earlier-stage pre-clinical programs and have established selective, value-accretive collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies to support our clinical development activities.
Broaden our pipeline of targeted therapies and apply our core capabilities to establish a leading franchise in the field of synthetic lethality. We are continuing our target identification and validation activities for advancing new synthetic lethality targets and associated biomarkers, with active programs for several next-generation synthetic lethality targets. We continue to invest in core functional capabilities, including in drug discovery, bioinformatics and translational biology.
Collaborate with leaders in the field of diagnostics to enable the identification of defined patient populations for our product candidates. Our precision medicine approach leverages the availability or development of companion diagnostics to identify patients for which our product candidates will be most effective.
Collaborate under our existing strategic partnerships and identify additional strategic collaborations to accelerate development timelines and maximize the commercial potential of our targeted product candidates. We have entered into the Pfizer Agreements for evaluation of the darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in MUM and cutaneous melanoma. We entered into the Amgen CTCSA to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, the Amgen investigational MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, in patients having MTAP-deletion solid tumors. We have entered into the Gilead CSCSA to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with sacituzumab-govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy), Gilead's Trop-2 directed ADC, in patients having MTAP-deletion bladder cancer. We have entered into a strategic partnership and collaboration with GSK for our synthetic lethality programs targeting Pol Theta and Werner Helicase pursuant to the Collaboration, Option and License Agreement with GSK, or GSK Collaboration Agreement. We will selectively evaluate strategic collaborations for our targeted product candidates with biopharmaceutical partners whose research, development, commercial, marketing, and geographic capabilities complement our own.
Pipeline – Overview and Program Goals
We are applying our capabilities and approach to develop a portfolio of targeted therapeutics for patient populations, selected using molecular diagnostics.
(1) Pursuant to Pfizer Agreements
(2) Pursuant to Amgen CTCSA
(3) Pursuant to Gilead CSCSA
(4) Pursuant to GSK Collaboration, Option and License Agreement
Our clinical pipeline currently includes four potential first-in-class clinical-stage product candidates: darovasertib (PKC), IDE397 (MAT2A), IDE161(PARG) and GSK101 (Pol Theta Helicase). We own or control all commercial rights of the three most-advanced of these product candidates: darovasertib, IDE397, and IDE161.
Our pipeline also includes preclinical research programs directed to targeted therapeutic targets, including our Werner Helicase program for which we have selected a development candidate in collaboration with GSK and, subject to IND-enabling studies, we are targeting an IND submission in 2024. We also have earlier-stage preclinical programs, the profiles of which are summarized below.
All data and the status of each program are as of February 1, 2024, unless otherwise noted.
Darovasertib - (GNAQ or GNA11 Mutations)
We are evaluating darovasertib in combination with crizotinib, an investigational cMET inhibitor in a potential registrational clinical trial in patients having MUM. We have initiated a potential registration-enabling Phase 2/3 clinical trial to evaluate the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in MUM patients with human leukocyte antigen-, or HLA-A*02:01 negative, or HLA-A2(-), serotype. We have achieved double-digit patient enrollment and have opened multiple clinical sites, including international sites, where we are recruiting patients for enrollment in this planned global Phase 2/3 clinical trial. We are targeting clinical program update(s) in 2024.
We are planning to enroll additional HLA-A*02:01 positive, or HLA-A2(+), patients as an independent clinical strategy to address HLA-A2(+) MUM patients, in a clinical study.
We have initiated a Phase 2 expansion arm in our IDE196-001 clinical trial evaluating the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in GNAQ/11 metastatic cutaneous melanoma, based on the observed preliminary clinical efficacy.
We separately initiated and have achieved double-digit patient enrollment in our Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating darovasertib as single-agent neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy in patients having primary UM, with ongoing enrollment and multiple clinical sites open, and are targeting a clinical efficacy update in mid-year 2024 and regulatory guidance update in 2024. We are also supporting evaluation of darovasertib as single-agent neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy in primary UM in an ongoing investigator-sponsored clinical trial, or IST, captioned as “Neoadjuvant / Adjuvant trial of Darovasertib in Ocular Melanoma”, or NADOM, and led by St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney with the participation of Alfred Health and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne and are targeting a clinical efficacy update in mid-year 2024.
We own or control all commercial rights in our darovasertib program in uveal melanoma, including in MUM and in primary UM, subject to certain economic obligations pursuant to our exclusive, worldwide license to darovasertib with Novartis.
IDE397 (MTAP Gene Deletion)
We are enrolling patients into a Phase 2 clinical trial designated as IDE397-001 to evaluate IDE397 for patients having certain tumors with MTAP gene deletion.
We are proceeding with enrollment of MTAP-deletion patients into a monotherapy Phase 2 expansion cohort with an initial focus on high priority solid tumor types, including squamous NSCLC, bladder, esophageal and gastric cancers.
In June 2023, we announced selection of a Phase 2 monotherapy expansion dose for IDE397 and in connection therewith, reported preliminary evidence of clinical activity as monotherapy.
We are collaborating with Amgen to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, the Amgen investigational MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, in patients having tumors with MTAP deletion, in an Amgen-sponsored clinical trial pursuant to the Amgen CTCSA.
In April 2023, we co-presented preclinical efficacy data with Amgen at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, or AACR 2023, for the IDE397 and AMG 193 combination in a NSCLC MTAP-null cell-derived xenograft, or CDX, model. The data collectively demonstrates that combined pharmacological inhibition of MAT2A and PRMT5 deepens the biological response through maximal pathway suppression.
In August 2023, Amgen initiated and dosed a first patient in the IDE397 /AMG 193 combination study, following clearance of the Amgen-sponsored IND and FDA authorization to proceed with the clinical trial. This Phase 1/2 clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, with an initial focus for expansion in NSCLC patients and an estimated enrollment of approximately 180 patients. We are targeting the development of a joint publication strategy in 2024.
We are collaborating with Gilead to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with Trodelvy, the Gilead Trop-2 directed ADC, in patients having MTAP deletion bladder cancer, in an IDEAYA-sponsored clinical trial pursuant to the Gilead CSCSA. We anticipate enrolling the first patient in this clinical trial in mid-year 2024.
We own all right, title and interest in and to IDE397 and the MAT2A program, including all worldwide commercial rights thereto.
PARG Program (HRD, including BRCA)
We are progressing with enrollment of patients having tumors with HRD into the Phase 1 expansion portion of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial in selected priority tumors. In parallel, we are also continuing with Phase 1 dose optimization to confirm a move-forward expansion dose for the planned Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial. We are targeting clinical program update(s) in 2024. We are also validating IDE161 combination opportunities preclinically and targeting identification of potential combination(s) in 2024.
In connection with the Phase 1 expansion announced in September 2023, we disclosed preliminary clinical proof-of-concept for IDE161 in HRD solid tumors based on early clinical data from the dose escalation cohorts. These clinical data showed dose-dependent pharmacodynamic modulation of poly-ADP ribose (PAR) proteins in peripheral blood, demonstrating IDE161 target engagement. In addition, we announced a greater than 50% PSA reduction in a prostate cancer patient in January 2023.
In September 2023, we received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for IDE161 for ovarian cancer and breast cancer indications, specifically for the treatment of (i) adult, pretreated, platinum-resistant advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer patients having tumors with BRCA1/2 mutations and (ii) adult, pretreated, advanced or metastatic hormone receptor positive, or HR+, Her2- and BRCA1/2 mutant breast cancer patients.
The expansion portion of the Phase 1 trial will include HRD solid tumor types, including endometrial, colorectal, prostate, and ER+ HER2- breast cancers.
We are targeting IDE161 clinical program update(s) and enabling clinical combination(s) in 2024.
Pol Theta Program (HR mutations, including BRCA, or HRD)
In November 2023, GSK initiated and dosed a first patient in the Phase 1 clinical trial for GSK101, following submission of the GSK-sponsored IND and FDA allowance to proceed with the clinical trial. GSK intends to clinically evaluate GSK101 in combination with niraparib, the GSK small molecule inhibitor of PARP for the treatment of patients having tumors with BRCA or other HRD.
GSK is leading clinical development of GSK101 pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement.
In August 2023, we earned and in October 2023 we received a $7.0 million payment for a milestone based on acceptance of the IND by the FDA.
We have the potential to receive an additional $10.0 million milestone payment upon initiation of Phase 1 clinical dose expansion.
WRN Program (High MSI)
We selected a Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC in collaboration with GSK. Subject to successful completion of ongoing IND-enabling studies, we are targeting an IND submission in 2024 to enable first-in-human clinical evaluation of Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC for patients having tumors with high MSI.
We are collaborating with GSK on the ongoing IND-enabling studies and, subject to IND submission and FDA allowance to proceed with clinical development, GSK will lead clinical development for the Werner Helicase program.
In October 2023, we earned a $3 million milestone in connection with IND-enabling studies. We have the potential to earn up to an additional $17 million aggregate milestone payments through early Phase 1 clinical studies, including $7.0 million upon IND clearance.
Other Pipeline Programs (Defined Biomarkers)
We have initiated early preclinical research programs focused on pharmacological inhibition of several new targets, or NTs, for patients with solid tumors characterized by defined biomarkers based on genetic mutations and/or molecular signatures. We believe these research programs have the potential for discovery and development of first-in-class or unique-in-class or best-in-class therapeutics.
We are targeting development candidate nominations in 2024 for multiple NTs, including a development candidate to treat MTAP-deletion solid tumors.
We own or control all commercial rights in our next-generation programs.
We have invested significantly and continue to invest in capabilities for identification and validation of new precision medicine targets and biomarkers for patient selection. For targets of interest, we advance our research to discover therapeutic drugs and to further qualify relevant biomarkers.
We own or control all commercial rights in programs directed to targets identified in on our new target and biomarker discovery platform.
Scientific Rationale – Synthetic Lethality
Synthetic lethality is emerging as an important therapeutic paradigm in the treatment of cancer. It was first defined by Calvin Bridges in 1922 based on the observation that certain combinations of gene mutations resulted in lethality despite the fact the single mutations in either gene were viable.
Cancer cells often contain genetic changes that lead to alterations in pathways such as DNA repair and metabolism. These changes endow the cancer cells with certain properties such as the ability to replicate by bypassing normal control mechanisms. However, removing these important regulators of cell function may also make these cancer cells more dependent on backup pathways that can then be targeted to achieve a therapeutic effect. We are using small molecule inhibitors against targets in DNA damage repair, or DDR, pathways or in tumor metabolism pathways, that have potentially less effects on the viability of normal cells, but are designed to result in lethality in cancer cells having specific underlying genetic alterations. Cancer targets based on synthetic lethality are ideal for precision medicine approaches because each product candidate inherently has a tumor-associated genetic biomarker to facilitate patient selection.
Darovasertib– PKC Inhibitor Clinical Candidate in Uveal Melanoma
Darovasertib (IDE196) is our most advanced clinical-stage product candidate. Darovasertib is a potent, selective small molecule inhibitor of PKC, which we are developing for genetically-defined cancers having GNAQ or GNA11 gene mutations. PKC is a protein kinase that functions downstream of the GTPases GNAQ and GNA11.
We are pursuing a clinical strategy for darovasertib to broadly address uveal melanoma, alternatively referred to as ocular melanoma, as both primary and metastatic disease. Greater than 90% of uveal melanoma patients have tumors harboring GNAQ or GNA11 mutations. There are no FDA approved systemic therapies for primary UM, as either neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies. There are likewise no FDA approved therapies for patients having MUM with HLA-A02:01 negative, or HLA-A2(-), serotype. These primary UM patients and HLA-A2(-) MUM patients collectively represent approximately 85% of all ocular melanoma patients. We have a separate, independent clinical strategy to address HLA-A02:01 positive, or HLA-A2(+), MUM patients.
The potentially addressable patient population for MUM is estimated to include an annual incidence of approximately 4,500 patients across the United States, or U.S., and Europe, with an estimated total prevalence of approximately 14,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe. (Neo)Adjuvant UM represents a significant expansion opportunity for darovasertib – with a potential annual incidence of approximately 8,700 patients aggregate in U.S. and Europe and with an estimated total prevalence of approximately 100,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe.
We own or control all commercial rights in our darovasertib program in uveal melanoma, including in MUM and in primary UM, subject to certain economic obligations pursuant to our exclusive, worldwide license to darovasertib with Novartis.
Darovasertib – Potential Registration-Enabling Clinical Trial in First-Line HLA-A2(-) Metastatic Uveal Melanoma
We have achieved double-digit patient enrollment and have opened multiple clinical sites, including international sites, where we are recruiting patients for enrollment in our potentially registration-enabling Phase 2/3 clinical trial, designated as IDE196-002, to evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib as a combination therapy in HLA-A2(-) MUM. We are the sponsor of this registrational Phase 2/3 clinical trial and are also collaborating with Pfizer for supply of crizotinib on this Phase 2/3 registrational trial, pursuant to the Second Pfizer Agreement. We are targeting clinical program update(s) in 2024.
The protocol of the Phase 2/3 clinical trial design incorporates guidance and feedback following our Type C meeting with the FDA in March 2023. This protocol includes an integrated Phase 2/3 open-label study-in-study design in first-line MUM patients with an HLA-A2(-) serotype. The clinical trial design employs a Phase 2 portion with median progression free survival, or PFS, as a primary endpoint for potential accelerated approval. Patients enrolled in Phase 2 will continue on treatment within the same study and will be considered, together with additional enrolled patients, to evaluate overall survival, or OS, as the primary endpoint of the Phase 3 portion of the clinical trial to support a potential confirmational approval.
In the Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial, approximately 230 patients will be randomized on a 2:1 basis for treatment with the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in the treatment arm or investigators choice in the control arm, selected from (a) a combination of ipilimumab (ipi) and nivolumab (nivo), (b) PD1-targeted monotherapy or (c) dacarbazine. The treatment arm of the Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial includes a nested study to confirm the move forward combination dose for the integrated Phase 2/3 clinical trial – including cohorts at the Phase 2 expansion doses of (i) darovasertib 300 mg BID + crizotinib 200 mg BID and (ii) darovasertib 200 mg BID + crizotinib 200 mg BID. Under the nested study design, patients enrolled in the cohort at the move forward dose will be included within the Phase 2/3 registrational clinical trial. The Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial contemplates an efficacy and safety data set of approximately 200 patients randomized 2:1 with the treatment arm at the move forward dose to support a potential accelerated approval based on median PFS by blinded independent central review, or BICR, as a primary endpoint. Accelerated approval is intended to allow for earlier approval of drugs that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need based on a demonstration of effectiveness on a surrogate endpoint.
Patients enrolled in Phase 2 at the selected dose would continue on treatment and be included in the Phase 3 study analysis, supplemented by enrollment of approximately 120 additional patients into the Phase 3 portion of the clinical trial, with 2:1 randomization on the same basis as the Phase 2 portion. Efficacy data from the Phase 3 could support potential approval using median OS as a primary endpoint.
On May 12, 2023, we expanded our relationship with Pfizer to support the Phase 2/3 registrational trial to evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib as a combination therapy in MUM by entering into Amendment No. 1 to the Second Pfizer Agreement. Under the as-amended Second Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer will provide us with a first defined quantity of crizotinib at no cost, as well as an additional second defined quantity of crizotinib at a lump-sum cost. We anticipate that the supply of crizotinib under the Second Pfizer Agreement, as amended, will be sufficient to support the planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 portions of the Phase 2/3 potentially registrational clinical trial.
In parallel, we are continuing to evaluate darovasertib in our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial, designated as IDE196-001, as a combination therapy with crizotinib in MUM patients. We are the sponsor of this Phase 2 clinical trial, and are collaborating with Pfizer on this Phase 2 clinical trial pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement.
In April 2023, we reported clinical data, including a safety and clinical efficacy interim results, from the Phase 2 expansion cohort evaluating darovasertib and crizotinib combination in MUM. In October 2023, we updated this clinical data and also reported darovasertib clinical ctDNA data and HLA-A2(-)/(+) data subsets from this Phase 2 clinical trial, as well as HLA-A2(-)/(+) prevalence based on our broader clinical experience in MUM, at ESMO 2023.
The Phase 2 clinical data, as reported in October 2023, were based on twenty (20) evaluable first-line and sixty-three (63) evaluable any-line patients enrolled as of September 22, 2022 in the darovasertib and crizotinib combination study at the expansion dose of 300 mg twice-a-day darovasertib and 200 mg twice-a-day crizotinib. Reported data were preliminary and based on investigator review from an unlocked database as of the data analyses cutoff date of August 22, 2023.
The evaluable patients generally had a significant disease burden and the evaluable any-line patients were heavily pre-treated. Key parameters for characterizing disease burden include baseline lactate dehydrogenase, or LDH, size of the largest metastatic lesion and degree of multi-site metastases. These evaluable patients had baseline LDH which was greater than the upper limit of normal in 60% of any-line and 50% of first-line patients. The largest metastatic lesion was greater than 3.0 cm in 65% of any-line and 60% of first-line patients, and greater than 8.0 cm in 10% of any-line and 15% of first-line patients. The patient metastases included both hepatic and extrahepatic loci in 64% of any-line and 50% of first-line patients. Among any-line patients, 68% had received one or more prior lines of therapy and 43% had received two or more prior lines of therapy.
In the twenty (20) evaluable first-line MUM patients in the expansion cohort, the investigator-reviewed data by RECIST 1.1 included: (i) 45% Overall Response Rate, or ORR, in First-Line MUM: 9 of 20 evaluable patients had a confirmed PR; (ii) 90% Disease Control Rate, or DCR, in First-Line MUM: 18 of 20 evaluable patients showed disease control, including 9 confirmed PRs and 9 stable disease; and (iii) ~7 months median PFS in First-Line MUM.
In the sixty-three (63) evaluable any-line MUM patients at the expansion dose, the investigator-reviewed data by RECIST 1.1 included: (i) 30% ORR in Any-Line MUM: 19 of 63 evaluable patients had a confirmed PR; (ii) 89% DCR in Any-Line MUM: 56 of 63 evaluable patients showed disease control, including 19 confirmed PRs and 37 stable disease; and (iii) ~7 months median PFS in Any-Line MUM. Notably, the observed median PFS was enhanced from the median PFS of ~5 months as previously reported in September 2022 based on thirty-five (35) evaluable Any-Line MUM patients.
There was a subset of nineteen (19) evaluable hepatic-only MUM patients – including first-line and pre-treated patients with only hepatic metastases, for whom the investigator-reviewed data by RECIST 1.1 included: (i) 37% ORR in Hepatic-Only MUM: 7 of 19 evaluable patients had a confirmed partial response (PR); (ii) 100% DCR in Hepatic-Only MUM: 19 of 19 evaluable patients showed disease control, including 7 confirmed PRs and 12 stable disease; and (iii) ~11 months median PFS in Hepatic-Only MUM.
Treatment durations as of the August 22, 2023 data analyses cutoff date were observed for the Any-Line (n=63) patients: approximately 50% of patients were treated for greater than six months, and approximately 30% of patients were treated for greater than one year. Multiple patients with confirmed PRs by RECIST 1.1 have been on treatment greater than 24 months, with the potential for further enhancement on the duration of treatment analysis as approximately 20% (13 out of 63 evaluable patients) of any-line MUM patients are continuing on treatment.
Based on the two-year PFS Kaplan-Meier curve of the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in any-line MUM, the combination provides a promising PFS trend compared to other therapies, including tebentafusp. The observed tail of the PFS curve implies durable benefit in a significant proportion of patients who remain progression free as far out as two years.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) molecular responses reported at ESMO 2023 were determined based on measured changes in mean allele frequency (MAF) on-treatment as compared to MAF levels at baseline for a subset of any-line MUM patients (n=32). Patients whose ctDNA showed a reduction of greater than 50% MAF following treatment were characterized as having a ctDNA molecular response, or MR.
A reduction in MAF was observed in all but one patient. Significantly, ctDNA MRs were observed in 30 of 32 evaluable patients, reflecting a molecular response rate of 94%. The determined ctDNA molecular responses were deep and sustained, with approximately 80% of measured patients having >80% reduction in MAF. The ctDNA molecular responses correlated with observed efficacy, including confirmed PRs as determined by RECIST 1.1.
Clinical efficacy was observed in both HLA-A2(-) and HLA-A2(+) patients. There were 50 all-line MUM patients with known HLA-A2 status among the 63 patients evaluable for efficacy, with 31 of these being HLA-A2(-) and 19 being HLA-A2(+). The reported efficacy data by HLA-A2 serotype was based on a preliminary analysis of an unlocked database as of August 22, 2023 by investigator review and RECIST 1.1. For HLA-A2(-) MUM patients, confirmed partial responses (PRs) were observed in 9 of 31 (29% ORR) any-line and in 5 of 12 (42% ORR) first-line patients. For HLA-A2(+) MUM patents, confirmed PRs were also observed in 6 of 19 (32% ORR) any-line and in 3 of 5 (60% ORR) first-line patients.
As reported in April 2023, the darovasertib and crizotinib combination therapy continued to observe a manageable safety profile in MUM patients (n=68) at the combination expansion doses, with a low rate (10%) of drug-related serious adverse events, or SAEs. Patients reported predominantly Grade 1 or 2 drug-related adverse events, or AE’s: 31% of patients reported at least one drug-related Grade 3 AE; no patients observed a drug-related Grade 4 AE; and one patient observed a Grade 5 AE. The reported Grade 5 SAE was, we believe, not likely related to study therapies and most likely due to disease progression. Drug-related adverse events observed in the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in MUM patients as related to darovasertib as of August 22, 2023 primarily include: SAEs of diarrhea, vomiting, sepsis, respiratory failure, syncope, hypotension and toxic epidermal necrolysis; and AEs, that occurred in greater than 20% of patients, of diarrhea, nausea, edema peripheral, vomiting, dermatitis acneiform, fatigue, hypotension, hypoalbuminaemia, dizziness and decreased appetite. The treating investigator assessed the Grade 5 SAE as being of unknown cause, most likely related to disease progression, and possibly related to the study therapies. Principal investigators on the study reviewed the Grade 5 SAE and concluded that the event was most likely due to disease progression. As the sponsor of the clinical trial, we likewise concluded the Grade 5 SAE was most likely due to disease progression and not likely related to study therapies. Five (7%) of patients permanently discontinued treatment with darovasertib and crizotinib due to a drug-related adverse event.
We consider that these data demonstrate robust clinical efficacy of the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in first-line and any-line MUM patients, with a manageable safety profile, and that collectively, these data support the potential registration-enabling Phase 2/3 clinical trial to evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib as a combination therapy in MUM.
We are continuing to evaluate patients in our Phase 2 clinical trial for darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in MUM. In May 2023, we continued our relationship with Pfizer by entering into Amendment No. 4 to the Pfizer Agreement relating to the supply of crizotinib in support of this Phase 2 clinical trial, pursuant to which Pfizer will continue to provide IDEAYA with an additional defined quantity of crizotinib at no cost.
We also expanded our relationship with Pfizer in May 2023 under an Amendment No. 1 to the Second Pfizer Agreement to support the Phase 2/3 registrational trial to evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib as a combination therapy in MUM. Under the as-amended Second Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer will provide us with a first defined quantity of crizotinib at no cost, as well as an additional second defined quantity of crizotinib at a lump-sum cost.
Prevalence of HLA-A2*02:01 Negative Serotype in MUM
Data from darovasertib clinical trials in MUM demonstrate that approximately 70% of MUM patients with known HLA-A*02:01, or HLA-A2 status were HLA-A2(-). As reported at ESMO 2023, the HLA-A2 status was known in subsets of patients enrolled in clinical trials evaluating darovasertib. Prevalence of HLA-A2(+) and HLA-A2(-) in MUM patients was determined from a first data set of n=149 MUM patients treated with darovasertib as monotherapy or in a combination arm of a clinical trial, and separately in a second data set of n=118 MUM patients treated with the darovasertib and crizotinib combination. These data include 102 of 149 (68%) of patients in the all-treatment subset and 81 of 118 (69%) patients in the darovasertib and crizotinib combination treatment subset.
Darovasertib – Strategy for HLA-A*02:01 Positive MUM
Based on clinical data from the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating darovasertib and crizotinib in MUM as reported at ESMO 2023, and based on the darovasertib mechanism of action, we anticipate darovasertib may have clinical activity independent of HLA-A2 status in GNAQ/11-mutation cancers.
We are planning to enroll additional HLA-A*02:01 positive, or HLA-A2(+), patients as an independent clinical strategy to address HLA-A2(+) MUM patients, in a clinical study. This strategy reflects observed darovasertib clinical activity irrespective of HLA serotype as reported at ESMO 2023, and demonstrates our commitment to fully address the high unmet medical need in MUM. Such clinical trial data from darovasertib and crizotinib combination treatment in HLA-A2(+) MUM could support publication and potential inclusion in NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
Darovasertib – Orphan Drug Designation in UM and Fast Track Designation in MUM
In April 2022, the FDA designated darovasertib as an Orphan Drug in UM, including primary and metastatic disease under 21 C.F.R Part 316. Under an Orphan Drug designation, darovasertib may be entitled to certain tax credits for qualifying clinical trial expenses, exemption from certain user fees and, subject to FDA approval of a New Drug Application, or NDA, for darovasertib in UM, eligibility for seven years of statutory marketing exclusivity. As an FDA-designated Orphan Drug, darovasertib may also be excluded from certain mandatory price negotiation provisions of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, if approved.
In November 2022, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to IDEAYA’s development program investigating darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in adult patients being treated for MUM. The Fast Track designation makes our darovasertib and crizotinib development program eligible for various expedited regulatory review processes, including generally more frequent FDA interactions, such as meetings and written communications, potential eligibility for rolling review of a future NDA and potential accelerated approval and priority review of an NDA.
Darovasertib - Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Therapy in Uveal Melanoma (UM)
We are clinically evaluating the potential for darovasertib as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, or both, also referred to as (neo)adjuvant therapy, in primary, non-metastatic UM patients. In April 2023, June 2023 and October 2023, we reported preliminary clinical data in the neoadjuvant setting showing evidence of anti-tumor activity that we believe supports further clinical evaluation of darovasertib to determine its potential as a neoadjuvant therapy to either save the eye by avoiding enucleation, or to reduce the tumor thickness in the eye, enabling treatment with less radiation to preserve vision, and as an adjuvant therapy, to potentially extend relapse free survival.
We have initiated and dosed our first patient in a company-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trial designated as IDE196-009, with ongoing enrollment and multiple clinical sites open. The purpose of the clinical trial is to evaluate single-agent darovasertib as neoadjuvant treatment of primary UM prior to primary interventional treatment of enucleation or radiation therapy and also as adjuvant therapy following the primary treatment. As of October 23, 2023, six patients have enrolled in the trial, including four enucleation patients and two plaque-therapy patients.
The IDE196-009 clinical protocol includes neoadjuvant treatment with darovasertib to maximum benefit up to 6 months, primary treatment, then up to 6 months of follow-up adjuvant therapy.
In the neoadjuvant setting, one cohort of UM patients with large tumors will be treated with darovasertib until maximum benefit or six months, at which time they will undergo a primary interventional treatment. The neoadjuvant endpoint for this large-sized tumor cohort is eye preservation. For example, a patient who would otherwise have undergone enucleation would instead be eligible for radiation treatment. Another neoadjuvant cohort of UM patients with small or medium tumors will be treated with darovasertib until maximum benefit or six months, at which time they will undergo radiation therapy. Neoadjuvant endpoints for this small- or medium-sized tumor cohort include (i) reducing the radiation dose that the patient receives, relative to the radiation dose they would have otherwise received without the neoadjuvant treatment, and (ii) functional vision preservation.
In the adjuvant setting, each of the two neoadjuvant cohorts will be treated with darovasertib for up to six months as follow-up adjuvant therapy after the primary interventional treatment. The adjuvant endpoints for this portion of the clinical trial include relapse free survival and useful vision.
We are additionally supporting evaluation of darovasertib as (neo)adjuvant therapy in primary UM in the ongoing NADOM IST. Pursuant to an as-amended protocol for the NADOM study, uveal melanoma patients who would otherwise undergo enucleation are instead treated with single agent darovasertib as neoadjuvant treatment for up to six months or maximum benefit. This reflects an increase in potential treatment duration versus the initial approach of one month neoadjuvant therapy, following which these patients will undergo a primary interventional treatment. Patients will subsequently be treated with darovasertib for up to six months as follow-up adjuvant therapy after the primary interventional treatment.
In October 2023, we reported clinical data demonstrating clinical activity for darovasertib as neoadjuvant therapy in primary UM, including tumor shrinkage in ocular tumor lesions. The preliminary interim update was based on investigator review with an enrollment and data cut-off as of July 17, 2023, in the enucleation cohort of the NADOM IST. In total, 11 patients eligible to receive six months of neoadjuvant therapy have been enrolled as of October 23, 2023 in the neoadjuvant UM enucleation cohort of the NADOM IST.
The company reported that seven patients were treated to maximal response or have ongoing treatment with darovasertib in the neo-adjuvant setting as of the data cut-off date of July 17, 2023. Six of these seven patients were considered evaluable based on evaluation with at least one ultrasound scan. Two evaluable patients had a confirmed eye preservation and avoided enucleation, based on conversion of their primary treatment from the planned enucleation to plaque brachytherapy. A third evaluable patient was confirmed as plaque-eligible and treatment of this patient is ongoing with darovasertib neo-adjuvant treatment until maximal benefit. These data reflect eye preservation in three of six evaluable patients – a 50% eye preservation rate. Of the evaluable six patients, approximately 83% of patients had tumor shrinkage.
Two patients enrolled into the IST did not complete their treatment to maximal response. One of these patients had sub-retinal blood present at baseline and with lack of shrinkage and visual deterioration and the patient discontinued treatment after 6 weeks. A second of these patients had a Grade 3 drug-related AE of dermatitis and discontinued treatment before a first scan.
Enrollment into the IST is ongoing. As of October 23, 2023, two out of four additional patients enrolled after the data cutoff date of July 17, 2023, are likely plaque eligible – based on an observed 22% ocular tumor shrinkage at 1-month and 20% ocular tumor shrinkage at 2-months, and are continuing darovasertib neoadjuvant therapy until maximal benefit. One patient is being enucleated. The status of the fourth patient was not reported.
In April 2023, we reported on a compassionate use case for a primary UM patient who was already blind in one eye from vascular disease and developed a large uveal melanoma lesion in his other eye which also had an associated cataract. The patient sought neoadjuvant treatment with the darovasertib and crizotinib combination under a compassionate use protocol with a goal to avoid enucleation and potentially preserve vision in the affected eye. The preliminary clinical data showed prompt responsiveness to treatment, including observed progressive tumor shrinkage over each prior month of treatment. Namely, the patient experienced ~30% tumor shrinkage after one month that continued up to ~80% after 4 months of treatment, in each case as determined by investigator measurement of apical height. After 1 month the ocular lesion size was sufficiently reduced to approach the threshold for radiation therapy (e.g., plaque brachytherapy). The patient thus avoided enucleation of the eye having the uveal melanoma, which reflects an initial reported case of systemic neoadjuvant therapy resulting in eye preservation by avoiding enucleation. Additionally, the patient has restored normal vision of the eye following the course of neoadjuvant treatment and treatment of the associated cataract, with a reported post-treatment vision score of 6/5 (measurement in meters: 6/6 m = 20/20 ft), reflecting a greater than 20 fold improvement in vision.
In June 2023, we reported a second case of a primary UM patient who was spared enucleation, which was also the first reported case of a primary UM patient who was treated with darovasertib as monotherapy neoadjuvant therapy and was spared enucleation in the Phase 1 (neo)adjuvant IST. In this reported case, the UM patient observed a 24% reduction in tumor size following four months of neoadjuvant treatment with darovasertib as monotherapy. The reduction in tumor size enabled plaque brachytherapy as a primary interventional treatment rather than an originally planned enucleation.
We believe that these clinical observations provide a basis for further clinical investigation to evaluate whether darovasertib can improve current primary treatment paradigms, which typically include radiotherapies or enucleation of the eye as primary interventional treatments. Our regulatory strategy includes evaluation of potential clinical endpoints such as vision and organ preservation which would be temporally proximal to the primary interventional treatments, potentially enabling a discussion with regulatory authorities on an accelerated approval pathway.
Darovasertib – Expansion Opportunity in Skin Melanoma
We have initiated a Phase 2 expansion arm in our IDE196-001 clinical trial evaluating the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in GNAQ/11 metastatic cutaneous melanoma, also referred to as skin melanoma, based on the observed preliminary clinical efficacy. In the darovasertib monotherapy cutaneous melanoma cohort (n=8), five of seven evaluable patients had tumor shrinkage (approximately 71%) with one patient having a PR and remaining on treatment over 10 months after previously receiving multiple lines of immunotherapy. In the darovasertib plus binimetinib cutaneous melanoma cohort (n=2), one of two cutaneous melanoma patients with a PR demonstrated 50% tumor shrinkage and remained on treatment approximately 600 days after previously receiving multiple lines of immunotherapy. In the darovasertib plus crizotinib cutaneous melanoma cohort (n=2), one of two cutaneous melanoma patients had tumor shrinkage of 60% with one patient having a PR and remaining on treatment approximately 600 days after previously receiving multiple lines of immunotherapy.
Darovasertib, as monotherapy or in combination with either binimetinib or crizotinib, has indicated a manageable safety profile in cutaneous melanoma patients with certain drug-related AEs being reported in all cohorts. These preliminary clinical data support initiation of a Phase 2 expansion of the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in GNAQ/11 metastatic cutaneous melanoma to advance the darovasertib and crizotinib combination. There are currently no FDA approved therapies in this indication in this genetically-defined patient population.
The GNAQ/11 prevalence in cutaneous melanoma has been reported at approximately 5% in The Cancer Genome Atlas. The GNAQ/11 cutaneous melanoma estimated annual incidence is approximately 5,000 patients in the United States and 8,000 patients in the EU28, and the estimated total prevalence of GNAQ/11 cutaneous melanoma is approximately 70,000 patients in the United States and 110,000 patients in the EU28. It has been reported that approximately 12.5% to 15% of cutaneous melanoma patients have been reported to develop metastatic disease.
IDE397 – MAT2A Inhibitor in Tumors with MTAP Deletion
IDE397 is a clinical-stage, potent, selective small molecule inhibitor of MAT2A, which we are developing for patients having solid tumors with MTAP deletion. The prevalence of MTAP deletion is estimated to be approximately 15% of human solid tumors. MTAP deletion in patient tumors is identified by commercial or institutional next generation sequencing, or NGS, panels or by MTAP immunohistochemistry, or IHC, assay with confirmation by NGS.
MTAP-null cells lack the ability to metabolize 5-methylthioadenosine, or MTA, which is an essential step in a biochemical pathway involved in salvaging the metabolite S-adenosyl methionine, or SAM. Increased levels of MTA partially inhibit the methyltransferase PRMT5 for which SAM is the methyl-donor substrate for methylation of various proteins. This partial inhibition of PRMT5 by increased levels of MTA renders MTAP-null cells more dependent on the activity of MAT2A, an enzyme that is responsible for the synthesis of SAM. Because of this enhanced dependence, loss of MTAP results in synthetic lethality when MAT2A is pharmacologically inhibited.
We are enrolling patients into a Phase 2 clinical trial designated as IDE397-001 to evaluate IDE397 for patients having certain tumors with MTAP gene deletion. We are proceeding with enrollment of MTAP-deletion patients into a monotherapy Phase 2 expansion cohort with an initial focus on high priority solid tumor types, including squamous NSCLC, bladder, esophageal and gastric cancers. In June 2023, we announced selection of a Phase 2 monotherapy expansion dose for IDE397 and in connection therewith, reported preliminary evidence of clinical activity as monotherapy. We observed tumor shrinkage in multiple patients treated with IDE397 monotherapy in our high-priority MTAP-deletion solid tumor types based on experience across several patients in the early phase of the monotherapy dose expansion. Specifically, there have been eight patients dosed in the Phase 2 expansion in the high priority solid tumor types of squamous NSCLC and bladder cancer, of which two patients have not yet had a first tumor scan assessment. The PRs include an earlier reported 33% tumor shrinkage by CT-PET (without contrast) for a squamous NSCLC patient, and a confirmed PR (47% tumor shrinkage) by RECIST 1.1 with IDE397 in a previously undisclosed tumor type (bladder cancer). This bladder cancer patient has converted to a complete response by RECIST 1.1 at the week 18 CT-scan. In addition, of patients evaluable for ctDNA pre and post treatment, a ctDNA molecular response rate of 83% was observed in these MTAP-deletion priority tumor types. As of the October 13, 2023 cut-off date, we have observed low rates of drug-related discontinuations and SAEs in the dose escalation and expansion phases. Patients reported predominantly Grade 1 or 2 drug-related AEs: nine patients reported at least one Grade 3 drug-related AE; no patients observed a Grade 4 drug-related AE or Grade 5 drug-related AE.
We are collaborating with Amgen to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, the Amgen investigational MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, in patients having tumors with MTAP deletion, in an Amgen-sponsored clinical trial pursuant to the Amgen CTCSA.
The combination of IDE397 with AMG 193 is a novel and potential first-in-class synthetic lethality combination which targets two distinct and mechanistically complementary nodes of the MTAP methylation pathway – MAT2A and PRMT5, providing a complementary approach for targeting MTAP-null tumors.
In August 2023, Amgen initiated and has dosed a first patient in the IDE397 /AMG 193 combination study, following FDA authorization to proceed with the clinical trial. This Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT: 05975073) will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, with an initial focus for expansion in NSCLC patients and an estimated enrollment of approximately 180 patients.
In April 2023, we co-presented preclinical efficacy data with Amgen at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, or AACR 2023, for the IDE397 and AMG 193 combination in a NSCLC MTAP-null cell-derived xenograft, or CDX, model. As reflected in these published xenograft data, we observed complete responses following approximately 30 days of combination treatment, starting at study-day 7 through study-day 39, at doses below the maximally efficacious preclinical dose for each of IDE397, such as 1/10 th of maximally efficacious dose, and AMG 193. The complete responses were durable from approximately study-day 40 to study-day 100. The IDE397 and AMG 193 combination was well tolerated, with no observed body weight loss through the approximate 30 days of combination treatment.
We also presented preclinical efficacy data showing deep and durable anti-tumor efficacy and pharmacodynamic, or PD, responses for IDE397 in combination with representative MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors in NSCLC MTAP-null cell-derived xenograft, or CDX, models, and for one representative compound, also in a pancreatic MTAP-null CDX model.
In addition, we presented further supporting preclinical data at AACR 2023, including the results of gene expression analysis of hallmark pathways, alternative splicing analysis and retained intron analysis. These data collectively demonstrate that combined pharmacological inhibition of MAT2A and PRMT5 deepens the biological response through maximal pathway suppression. The enhanced combination effect was observed selectively in MTAP-null relative to MTAP wild-type models.
We believe that the preclinical efficacy data, considered together with the biological mechanistic response data, as presented at AACR 2023 supports our plans to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with AMG 193. We own all right, title and interest in and to IDE397 and the MAT2A program, including all worldwide commercial rights thereto.
We are collaborating with Gilead to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with Trodelvy, the Gilead Trop-2 directed ADC, in patients having tumors with MTAP deletion, in patients having MTAP deletion bladder cancer, in an IDEAYA-sponsored clinical trial pursuant to the Gilead CSCSA.
IDE161 – PARG Inhibitor in Tumors with Homologous Recombination Deficiency
We are evaluating IDE161, a small molecule inhibitor of PARG being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial designated as IDE161-001 for patients having tumors with HRD and potentially other genetic and/or molecular signatures. PARG is a novel target in a clinically validated biological pathway. PARG functions as a regulator of DNA repair in the same biochemical pathway as PARP. PARG hydrolyzes poly (ADP-ribose), or PAR, chains that are polymerized by PARP enzymes, completing the PAR cycle. Small molecule inhibitors of PARG result in a dose dependent increase in cellular PAR after DNA damage. PARG is a mechanistically distinct target relative to PARP.
We are progressing with enrollment of patients having tumors with HRD into the Phase 1 expansion portion of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial in selected priority tumors. In parallel, we are also continuing with Phase 1 dose optimization to confirm a move-forward expansion dose for the planned Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial. We are targeting clinical program update(s) in 2024. We are also validating IDE161 combination opportunities preclinically and targeting identification of potential combination(s) in 2024.
The expansion portion of the Phase 1 trial will include patients having HRD-associated breast cancer and ovarian cancer, as well as a basket of other selected solid tumors. The breast cancer focus is on ER+, Her2-, HRD+ tumors, which represent approximately 10% to 14% of breast cancer patients. The ovarian cancer focus represents approximately 50% of ovarian cancer where HRD is observed. Selected other solid tumors with HRD, such as HRD+ endometrial cancer, will also be evaluated in the Phase 1 expansion portion of the clinical trial.
In connection with the Phase 1 expansion announced in September 2023, we disclosed preliminary clinical proof-of-concept for IDE161 in HRD solid tumors based on early clinical data from the dose escalation cohorts. These clinical data showed dose-dependent pharmacodynamic modulation of PAR proteins in peripheral blood, demonstrating IDE161 target engagement. These clinical data also demonstrated IDE161 exposure levels in humans which correlate to preclinical exposures that were efficacious in achieving tumor regressions in xenograft models. We observed preliminary tumor shrinkage observed in multiple HRD solid tumor patients, including an BRCA1/2 endometrial cancer subject with a first imaging assessment of a partial response in the target lesion, a complete response in the non-target lesion and an 87% reduction in the CA-125 tumor marker (2,638 units/ml at baseline to 360 units/ml at 6-weeks).
We have observed multiple PRs by RECIST 1.1 and tumor shrinkage in priority solid tumor types early in the Phase 1 dose escalation and at the expansion dose. As of October 13, 2023, there have been a total of seven patients treated at the expansion dose, of which two patients have not yet had a first scan tumor assessment. We observed preliminary tumor shrinkage in multiple HRD solid tumor patients, including an BRCA1/2 endometrial cancer subject with a confirmed PR in the target lesion as of the second imaging assessment, a complete response in the non-target lesion and an 87% reduction in the CA-125 tumor marker (2,722 units/ml at baseline to 360 units/ml at six-weeks). At the IDE161 expansion dose, we have observed no drug-related discontinuations or SAEs as of the October 13, 2023 cut-off date.
In September 2023, we received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for IDE161 for ovarian cancer and breast cancer indications. Fast Track is a FDA process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Specifically, for IDE161, Fast Track Designation was received for the treatment of adult patients having advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer with germline or somatic BRCA 1/2 mutations who are platinum resistant and have received prior antiangiogenic and PARP inhibitor therapies. The Fast Track Designation was also received for IDE161 for the treatment of adult patients having advanced or metastatic HR+, Her2- breast cancer with germline or somatic BRCA 1/2 mutations who have progressed following treatment with at least one line of a hormonal therapy, a CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy and a PARP inhibitor therapy.
Under the Fast Track designation, the IDE161 development program in BRCA1/2 mutant (m) breast and ovarian cancers, as specified in the respective Fast Track designation, is eligible for various expedited regulatory review processes, including generally more frequent FDA interactions (e.g., meetings, written communications), potential eligibility for rolling review of an and potential accelerated approval and priority review of a future NDA.
We entered into an exclusive license under the Evaluation, Option and License Agreement, by and among the Company, Cancer Research Technologies Ltd., also known as Cancer Research United Kingdom, or CRT, and the University of Manchester, pursuant to which we hold exclusive worldwide license rights covering a broad class of PARG inhibitors.
In April 2023, we incurred an obligation to pay milestone payments in an aggregate amount of £750,000 to CRT based upon the achievement of certain milestones relating to first and second tumor histologies in connection with the Phase 1 portion of the IDE161-001 Phase 1/2 clinical trial in oncologic diseases. The Company will be obligated to make additional payments to CRT aggregating up to £18.75 million upon the achievement of specific development and regulatory approval events for development of a PARG inhibitor in oncologic diseases, including an aggregate of up to £1.5 million and up to £2.25 for the achievement of certain Phase 2 and Phase 3 development milestones, respectively, in each case as relating to first and second tumor histologies.
We own or control all commercial rights in our PARG program, subject to certain economic obligations pursuant to our exclusive, worldwide license to certain PARG inhibitors, including IDE161, with CRT and University of Manchester.
GSK101 (IDE705) - Pol Theta Helicase Inhibitor in tumors with Homologous Recombination Deficiency
We discovered GSK101 (IDE705), our Pol Theta Helicase inhibitor clinical development candidate, and evaluated GSK101 in preclinical studies in collaboration with GSK. GSK101 targets the helicase domain of the Pol Theta protein for patients having solid tumors with BRCA or other mutations associated with HRD.
Pol Theta is involved in a DNA repair process called microhomology mediated end joining, or MMEJ, that is utilized when homologous recombination mediated repair is compromised, as happens in the case of certain BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The expression of Pol Theta is largely absent in normal cells, but tumor cells harboring double strand break repair defects, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, show higher Pol Theta expression and synthetic lethality when Pol Theta is inhibited. Pol Theta is a large protein with two functional domains: a DNA polymerase domain and an ATP-dependent DNA helicase domain, sometimes referred to as an ATPase domain, linked by a RAD51 central region.
GSK is evaluating GSK101 in combination with niraparib, the GSK small molecule inhibitor of PARP for the treatment of patients having tumors with BRCA or other HR mutations, or HRD, in a GSK-sponsored Phase 1 clinical trial. GSK has dosed the first patient in this trial.
GSK is leading clinical development of GSK101 pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement. GSK is responsible for all research and development costs for the Pol Theta program.
We have the potential to receive an additional $10.0 million milestone payment upon initiation of Phase 1 clinical dose expansion. In August 2023, we achieved and earned a $7.0 million milestone based on acceptance of the IND by the FDA, for which payment was received in October 2023. An earlier preclinical development $3.0 million milestone payment from GSK was achieved in August 2022 in connection with ongoing IND-enabling studies to support evaluation of GSK101.
We have the potential to earn further aggregate late-stage development and regulatory milestones of up to $465 million. Upon commercialization, we will be eligible to receive up to $475 million of commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on global net sales of GSK101 – ranging from high single-digit to sub-teen double-digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions.
WRN Inhibitors in Tumors with High Microsatellite Instability
We are advancing our preclinical IND-enabling studies and other preclinical research in collaboration with GSK for an inhibitor targeting Werner Helicase for patients having tumors with high MSI.
WRN protein is a RecQ enzyme involved in the maintenance of genome integrity. Germline loss of function mutations in WRN lead to premature aging and pre-disposition to cancer. MSI is a change in the DNA content of a tumor cell in which the number of repeats of microsatellites, short repeated sequences of DNA, differ as cells divide. High MSI is present in about 15% of gastrointestinal tumor cancers, including in approximately 22% of stomach adenocarcinoma and 16% of colorectal cancer. Tumors with high MSI are routinely assessed in multiple diagnostic profiling tests.
WRN is a protein having several functional domains, and we have shown that the helicase functional domain of WRN is responsible for this synthetic lethal interaction, as reflected in our publication in Cell Press - iScience, Werner Syndrome Helicase is Required for the Survival of Cancer Cells with Microsatellite Instability (March 2019).
We have demonstratedin vivo efficacy with tumor regression and PD response in a relevant high MSI model. We have observed selectivity of our Werner Helicase inhibitor and validation of the synthetic lethal relationship to tumors with high MSI over tumors with microsatellite stable, or MSS, based on a lack ofin vivo pharmacological response in relevant MSS xenograft models.
We selected a Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC in collaboration with GSK. Subject to successful completion of ongoing IND-enabling studies, we are targeting an IND submission in 2024 to enable first-in-human clinical evaluation of Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC for patients having tumors with high MSI.
We are collaborating with GSK on the ongoing IND-enabling studies and, subject to IND submission and clearance, GSK will lead clinical development for the Werner Helicase program. GSK is responsible for 80% of global research and development costs and IDEAYA is responsible for 20% of such costs. GSK holds a global, exclusive license to develop and commercialize the Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC.
In October 2023, we achieved and earned a $3 million milestone in connection with IND-enabling studies. We have the potential to earn up to an additional $17 million aggregate milestone payments through early Phase 1 clinical studies, including $7.0 million upon IND clearance. We are also eligible to receive additional future aggregate total development milestones of up to $465 million. Upon commercialization, we will be eligible to receive up to $475 million of commercial milestones, 50% of U.S. net profits and tiered royalties on global non-U.S. net sales of the Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC – ranging from high single-digit to sub-teen double-digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions.
Next-Generation Precision Medicine Pipeline Programs
We have initiated early preclinical research programs focused on pharmacological inhibition of several new targets, or NTs, for patients with solid tumors characterized by defined biomarkers based on genetic mutations and/or molecular signatures. We believe these research programs have the potential for discovery and development of first-in-class or unique-in-class or best-in-class therapeutics. We are targeting development candidate nominations in 2024 for multiple NTs. Collectively, we believe these efforts will further advance our multi-pronged clinical and business strategy. We own or control all commercial rights in our next-generation NT programs.
Since inception of the company, our core research has and continues to be focused on precision medicine oncology, with synthetic lethality as a central tenet. We have invested significantly and continue to invest in capabilities for identification and validation of new precision medicine targets and biomarkers for patient selection. For targets of interest, we advance our research to discover therapeutic drugs and to further qualify relevant biomarkers.
DECIPHER™ Dual CRISPER Synthetic Lethality Library – UCSD
We have constructed our DECIPHER Dual CRISPR library for synthetic lethality target and biomarker discovery in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego, and bioinformatics analysis and validation are ongoing. The DECIPHER 1.0 library is focused on DNA Damage Repair targets across various
tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes of interest that were selected based on their known prevalence and role in solid tumors, enabling evaluation of approximately 50,000 independent gene knockout combinations of DDR pathway related drug targets across known tumor suppressor genes.
PAGEO™ Paralogous Gene Evaluation in Ovarian Cancer and Dep Map Consortium – Broad Institute
We have an ongoing strategic collaboration with the Broad Institute focused on synthetic lethality target and biomarker discovery. This collaboration will use the large-scale CRISPR paralog screening platform developed at the laboratory of William R. Sellers, M.D., Core Institute Member, Broad Institute, to evaluate functionally redundant paralogous genes across ovarian cancer subtypes and to generate novel target and biomarker hypotheses. Dr. Sellers, who also serves on our Scientific Advisory Board, is the principal investigator for the strategic collaboration. We have also become a member of the Broad DepMap (Cancer Dependency Map) consortium led by the Broad Institute to further enhance our efforts in bioinformatics and cell-based screening for synthetic lethality target and biomarker discovery and validation.
Drug Discovery and Program Biomarker Discovery Platform
We are also continuing to invest in our capabilities to advance our research on newly identified synthetic lethality targets of interest, including to enable discovery of therapeutic drugs and program relevant biomarkers. These investments include both additional research personnel and capital investments, which will enhance our capabilities broadly, including in target validation, biological assay development, protein synthesis, structural biology, computational chemistry, and analytical chemistry, among other core functional areas.
As examples of aspects of our drug discovery platform, we use our INQUIRE™ Chemical Library to enhance our synthetic lethality drug discovery platform. INQUIRE is a proprietary, expert-curated small-molecule library of over 200,000 chemical compounds, which we believe will enhance our hit discovery capabilities across a broad range of novel synthetic lethality targets and historically difficult-to-drug target classes, such as helicases and endonucleases.
We use our HARMONY ™ machine-learning engine to empower evaluation and decisions related to structure-activity-relationships analyses, empowering our drug-discovery platform.
Competition
Our industry is very competitive and subject to change based on ongoing advances in technology. Although we believe that our approach, strategy, scientific capabilities, knowledge and experience provide us with competitive advantages, we expect to have substantial competition from major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies worldwide. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical and human resources. Smaller and early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies.
As a result, our competitors may discover, develop, license or commercialize products before or more successfully than we do. We face competition with respect to product candidates in our pipeline, and will face competition with respect to future product candidates, from segments of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other related markets that pursue targeted approaches to addressing activating genetic and other molecular alterations in cancer.
For darovasertib, we are not aware of other companies actively developing clinical-stage therapeutics directed to PKC as a target for solid tumors. MingSight is developing a PKC beta inhibitor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, and diabetic macular edema, both in Phase 1 studies. Varian Biopharmaceuticals is advancing a preclinical-stage atypical PCK iota inhibitor, including as a dermatologic gel formulation for potential topical treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma, or BCC. Exscientia is developing a PKC theta inhibitor in inflammatory diseases in Phase 1 studies. Varsity Pharma is developing a PKC inhibitor in CLL. We are aware of other companies that are conducting research and development of potential therapies for primary UM or for MUM based on other targets and approaches. For example, Aura Biosciences is developing AU-011 a virus-like drug conjugate (VDC) as local treatment for early-stage choroidal melanoma. Immunocore is developing and commercializing Tebentafusp, also known under its branded name as Kimmtrak for the treatment of adult patients with HLA-A*02:01-positive unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma. Novartis is developing DYP688, an antibody-drug-conjugate, or ADC, with a GNAQ-11 inhibitor payload in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in MUM.
For IDE397, Servier Pharmaceuticals, LLC, or Servier, is evaluating a small molecule MAT2A inhibitor designated as S95035 in a Phase 1 trial and Insilico Medicine has a small molecule MAT2A inhibitor in IND-enabling studies.
For IDE161, we are not aware of any other clinical-stage therapies targeting PARG. Several companies are conducting preclinical research to develop PARG inhibitors, including Nodus Oncology, SynRx, 858 Therapeutics and Satya Pharma Innovations.
For GSK101 (IDE705), Artios Pharma is developing two clinical-stage therapies targeting Pol Theta, both in Phase 1/2 studies. Additionally, Repare Therapeutics and Breakpoint Therapeutics have Pol Theta inhibitors in IND-enabling studies.
For our preclinical pipeline of synthetic lethality therapeutics, potential competition includes established companies as well as earlier-stage emerging biotechnology companies. Multiple established companies have been involved with research and development in synthetic lethality, such as AstraZeneca (Lynparza), Pfizer (Talzenna), GSK (Zejula) and Roche. Additionally, several other early-stage companies, including 858 Therapeutics, Anticancer Bioscience, Artios, Breakpoint Therapeutics, FoRx Therapeutics, Repare Therapeutics, Ryvu Therapeutics, Tango, Vividion, Xpose, and Eikon Therapeutics.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights, is important to our business. We endeavor to establish, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights that protect our business interests.
Our patent portfolio, including patents owned by or exclusively licensed to us, is built on a program-by-program basis with a goal of establishing broad protection that generally includes, for each product candidate compound and for selected alternative back-up compounds, claims directed to composition of matter, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment using such pharmaceutical compositions. For some programs, our portfolio may also include claims directed to methods of treatment involving biomarker-enabled patient identification or selection, methods of treatment involving particular dosing approaches, polymorphs, formulations and/or methods of synthesis. We are seeking and maintaining patent protection in the United States and key foreign jurisdictions.
As of February 3, 2024, we own or exclusively in-license patents and patent applications, comprising approximately 71 distinct patent families, protecting our technology across our pipeline. Excluding applications that we are not currently prosecuting, our portfolio consists of 16 issued U.S. patents, approximately 48 pending U.S. applications, 21 pending applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, or PCT, 44 issued foreign patents and approximately 160 pending foreign applications in approximately 44 foreign jurisdictions, including without limitation countries included in major markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, each having expiration dates ranging from 2035 to 2044. The nominal expiration of our patents and patent applications does not account for any applicable patent term adjustments or extensions.
As of February 3, 2024, as relating to our PKC program, including darovasertib, we own or have exclusively in-licensed from Novartis patents and patent applications comprising approximately six issued U.S. patents, approximately 31 issued foreign patents, approximately eight pending U.S. applications, three pending PCT application, and approximately 33 pending applications in approximately 20 foreign jurisdictions which we are currently prosecuting, including without limitation countries included in major markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. These in-licensed patents and applications are directed to composition of matter, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment, including treatment of uveal melanoma. These solely owned or in-licensed patent applications, if granted, would expire between 2035 and 2043, without taking into account any applicable patent term adjustments or extensions. In addition, the PKC program portfolio includes two U.S. patent application and two PCT applications which are jointly owned with Pfizer directed to methods of treatment for certain combination treatments.
As of February 3, 2024, as relating to our MAT2A program, including IDE397, we own patents and patent applications comprising approximately three issued U.S. patents, approximately two issued foreign patent, 10 pending U.S. applications, approximately eight pending PCT applications and approximately 52 pending foreign applications in approximately 28 foreign jurisdictions which we are currently prosecuting, including without limitation countries included in major markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. These solely owned or in-licensed patent applications, if granted, would expire between 2039 and 2043, without taking into account any applicable patent term adjustments or extensions. In addition, the MAT2A program portfolio also includes one pending U.S. application and one pending foreign application directed to methods of treatment of cancer which is jointly owned with GSK pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement, as well as one pending PCT application and two foreign applications directed to methods of treatment of cancer which is jointly owned with Amgen pursuant to the Amgen CTCSA.
As of February 3, 2024, as relating to our PARG program, including IDE161, we own or have exclusively in-licensed from Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester, patents and patent applications comprising approximately two issued U.S. patents, 10 issued foreign patents, 13 pending U.S. application, and approximately 26 pending foreign applications in approximately 18 foreign jurisdictions which we are currently prosecuting, including without limitation countries included in major markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. These solely owned or in-licensed patent applications, if granted, would expire between 2035 and 2044, without taking into account any applicable patent term adjustments or extensions.
As of February 3, 2024, as relating to our Pol Theta program, GSK holds a global, exclusive license to develop and commercialize Pol Theta products arising out of the Pol theta program.
Our patent portfolio also supports programs in our synthetic lethality preclinical pipeline, including U.S. patent applications directed to composition of matter, pharmaceutical compositions and/or methods of treatment of cancer for each of our Pol Theta (HR), WRN (high MSI), and certain next-generation SLT programs.
Strategic Relationships
We own or control all commercial rights in our three most advanced programs, each of which are clinical-stage programs – darovasertib, IDE397 and IDE161. We have entered into strategic relationships for these programs – for example, to in-license certain intellectual property rights or to enable evaluation of combination therapies, such as through combination drug supply or clinical trial collaborations to evaluate combinations. For darovasertib, we have an exclusive license agreement with Novartis and separately, we have established clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements with Pfizer in support of our clinical evaluation of darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in MUM and cutaneous melanoma. For IDE397, we entered into the Amgen CTCSA to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with AMG 193, the Amgen investigational MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, in patients having MTAP-null solid tumors, and we entered into the Gilead GSCSA to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with Trodelvy, the Gilead Trop-2 directed ADC, in patients having MTAP deletion bladder cancer. For PARG, we have an exclusive in-license agreement with Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester.
We have entered into a strategic partnership and collaboration with GSK for our preclinical synthetic lethality programs targeting Pol Theta and Werner Helicase, pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement. We own all commercial rights in our earlier next-generation synthetic lethality programs, for which our small molecule compounds are being discovered and/or developed internally with our own resources, as supplemented by certain service providers such as CROs.
We have established collaborative relationships with other companies for access to their proprietary database of patient samples, and/or for their genetic screening services on their proprietary platform. We have established certain development manufacturing and service relationships with CMOs for darovasertib, IDE397, and IDE161 We have an agreement with STA Pharmaceutical Hong Kong Limited, or STA Pharmaceutical, for the synthesis of the API for darovasertib, and agreements with STA Pharmaceutical and Patheon Inc. for formulation and manufacturing of darovasertib drug product. We have an agreement with STA Pharmaceutical for the synthesis of the API, formulation and manufacturing of IDE197 drug product. We have an agreement with Pharmaron for the synthesis of the API and formulation for IDE161, and with STA Pharmaceutical for the manufacturing of IDE161 drug product. We have established arrangements with CMOs as well for packaging, labeling and distribution of darovasertib, IDE397, and IDE161. We also have established clinical services relationship with CROs to support our conduct of clinical trials for our darovasertib, IDE397, and IDE161programs.
In addition to these existing strategic license relationships, existing and planned development manufacturing and service arrangements, and existing and planned clinical services arrangements, we have various existing agreements and relationships with service providers, such as CROs, which are enabling execution of various research and development activities for each of our pipeline programs. In particular, such agreements are directed to chemistry and compound synthesis, compound analysis and characterization, structural biology, computational biology, biological assay and model development, in vitro screening, in vivo screening, translational biomarker diagnostic development, bioinformatics, toxicology and formulation, among other activities.
We may also evaluate future strategic opportunities to accelerate development timelines and maximize the commercial potential of our product candidates. We plan to selectively evaluate strategic collaborations with biopharmaceutical partners whose research, development, commercial, marketing, and geographic capabilities complement our own.
Agreements
Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreements with Pfizer for Darovasertib
In March 2020, we entered into the Pfizer Agreement. Pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement, as amended in September 2020, April 2021, August 2021 and May 2023, Pfizer supplies us with their MEK inhibitor, binimetinib, and their cMET inhibitor, crizotinib, to evaluate combinations of darovasertib independently with each of the Pfizer compounds, in patients with tumors harboring activating GNAQ or GNA11 mutations. Under the Pfizer Agreement, we are the sponsor of the combination studies and will provide darovasertib and pay for the costs of the combination studies. Pfizer will provide binimetinib and crizotinib for use in the clinical trial at no cost to us. The Pfizer Agreement provides that we and Pfizer will jointly own clinical data generated from the clinical trial and will also jointly own inventions, if any, relating to the combined use of darovasertib and binimetinib, or independently, to the combined use of darovasertib and crizotinib. We and Pfizer have formed a joint development committee responsible for coordinating all regulatory and other activities under the agreement.
Pfizer may terminate the agreement if Pfizer believes binimetinib or crizotinib is being used in an unsafe manner. Either party may terminate the agreement for patient safety reasons, if any regulatory action prevents the supply of its drug or if a party ceases development of its drug. Either party may terminate the agreement for the other party’s material breach that remains uncured for thirty days. If the agreement is terminated, we must return any unused binimetinib or unused crizotinib, as applicable, to Pfizer. If Pfizer terminates the agreement because of our material breach, we will be required to reimburse Pfizer certain manufacturing costs for the binimetinib or crizotinib supplied under the agreement.
We have further expanded the scope of our relationship with Pfizer, entering into additional agreements to facilitate evaluation of darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in a potential registrational clinical trial in MUM and separately, in combination with crizotinib in other cMET-driven tumor indications.
In March 2022, we and Pfizer entered into the Second Pfizer Agreement pursuant to which we may, subject to FDA feedback and guidance, evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib as a combination therapy in MUM in a planned Phase 2/3 potential registration-enabling clinical trial. Pursuant to the Second Pfizer Agreement, we are the sponsor of the planned combination trial and we will provide darovasertib and pay for the costs of the combination trial; Pfizer will provide crizotinib for the planned combination trial at no cost to us for up to an agreed-upon number of MUM patients. We and Pfizer will jointly own clinical data from the planned combination trial and all inventions relating to the combined use of darovasertib and crizotinib. We and Pfizer have formed a joint development committee responsible for coordinating all regulatory and other activities under the Second Pfizer Agreement.
Separately, in March 2022, we and Pfizer also entered into the Third Pfizer Agreement pursuant to which we may, subject to preclinical validation and FDA feedback and guidance, evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib, as a combination therapy in cMET-driven tumors such as NSCLC and/or HCC in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Pursuant to the Third Pfizer Agreement, we are the sponsor of the planned combination trial, and we will provide darovasertib and pay for the costs of the combination trial; Pfizer will provide crizotinib for the planned combination trial at no cost to us. We and Pfizer will jointly own clinical data from the planned combination trial and all inventions relating to the combined use of darovasertib and crizotinib. We and Pfizer had formed a joint development committee responsible for coordinating all regulatory and other activities under the Third Pfizer Agreement.
In May 2023, we continued our relationship with Pfizer by entering into Amendment No. 4 to the Pfizer Agreement relating to the supply of crizotinib in support of this Phase 2 clinical trial, pursuant to which Pfizer will continue to provide us with an additional defined quantity of crizotinib at no cost.
We also expanded our relationship with Pfizer in May 2023 under an Amendment No. 1 to the Second Pfizer Agreement to support the Phase 2/3 registrational trial to evaluate darovasertib and crizotinib as a combination therapy in MUM. Under the as-amended Second Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer will provide us with a first defined quantity of crizotinib at no cost, as well as an additional second defined quantity of crizotinib at a lump-sum cost. Under Amendment No. 1 to the Second Pfizer Agreement, we also terminated the Third Pfizer Agreement.
Exclusive License Agreement with Novartis for Darovasertib
In September 2018, we entered into a license agreement with Novartis International Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Novartis) to develop and commercialize Novartis’ LXS196 (also known as IDE196), a Phase 1 protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, for the treatment of cancers having GNAQ and GNA11 mutations. We have renamed Novartis’ LXS196 oncology as IDE196, and which has a non-proprietary name of darovasertib.
Under the license agreement, Novartis granted to us a worldwide, exclusive, sublicensable license to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize certain defined compounds and products, including IDE196 and certain other PKC inhibitors as well as companion diagnostic products, collectively referred to as the licensed products, for any purpose. The license grant is subject to Novartis’ retained rights to complete its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of darovasertib, designated in their clinical trial as LXS196. Novartis also agreed to transfer to us certain materials and know-how relating to the licensed products or arising from the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of darovasertib.
We are solely responsible for the manufacturing and commercialization of the licensed products, subject to Novartis’ rights under the ongoing clinical trial of darovasertib. We have certain obligations to supply darovasertib and licensed products for compassionate use, named patient and similar programs in connection with the ongoing clinical trial. We are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop one licensed product and to commercialize and obtain regulatory approval for at least one licensed product in the United States and in specified European countries.
All inventions, know-how, data and results resulting from our activities under the license agreement, including activities relating to our own clinical trials, will be exclusively owned by us. All inventions, know-how, data and results resulting from Novartis’ activities connected with Novartis’ ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial for IDE196 will be exclusively owned by Novartis, and subject to the license to us. Ownership of all other inventions and know-how will be determined according to U.S. patent law, with Novartis’ interest subject to the license to us.
We control the prosecution and maintenance of the patents exclusively licensed to us, with Novartis retaining step-in rights if we do not continue such prosecution and maintenance. If we fail to maintain or prosecute any exclusively licensed patent and Novartis exercises this step-in right, our license to the relevant patents will terminate in the relevant country. We have the first right to enforce any exclusively licensed patents, while Novartis retains the right to representation. If we do not bring an action to enforce any exclusively licensed patent, Novartis has the right to bring such action, and we will have the right to representation.
We paid Novartis an upfront payment of $2.5 million and issued 263,615 shares of our Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock concurrently with the execution of the license agreement. Subject to completion of certain clinical and regulatory development milestones, we agreed to make milestone payments in the aggregate of up to $9.0 million, and subject to achievement of certain commercial sales milestones, we agreed to make milestone payments in the aggregate of up to $20.0 million. We also agreed to pay mid to high single-digit tiered royalty payments based on annual worldwide net sales of licensed products, payable on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country by country basis until the latest of the expiration of the last to expire exclusively licensed patent, the expiration of regulatory exclusivity, and the ten year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country. The royalty payments are subject to reductions for lack of patent coverage, loss of market exclusivity, and payment obligations for third-party licenses.
The license agreement continues in force on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country by country basis until the latest of the expiration of the last to expire exclusively licensed patent, the expiration of regulatory exclusivity, and the ten year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country.
We may terminate the license agreement in its entirety or on a licensed product-by-licensed product basis without cause on 60 days’ prior written notice. Either party may terminate the license agreement for the other party’s material breach that remains uncured for 90 days. In addition, Novartis has the right to terminate the license agreement immediately upon our insolvency.
Upon termination by Novartis for material breach or for our insolvency, or upon termination by us without cause, at Novartis’ written request and in return for consideration that will be negotiated at such time, we will grant to Novartis a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sublicensable, nonexclusive or exclusive license, under all patent rights and know-how controlled by us that are related to and actually used as of the date of termination in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of licensed products, for Novartis to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the licensed products.
Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement with Amgen for IDE397
In July 2022, we entered into the Amgen CTCSA to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with AMG 193 in patients having MTAP-null solid tumors, in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. Under the mutually non-exclusive Amgen CTCSA, we will provide IDE397 drug supply to Amgen, who will be the sponsor of the Phase 1 clinical combination trial evaluating IDE397 and AMG 193. Each party will pay for fifty percent (50%) of the external third-party costs of the combination study. Each party will be responsible for its own internal costs and expenses in support of the combination study. We and Amgen will jointly oversee clinical development of the combination therapy through a Joint Oversight Committee responsible for coordinating all regulatory and other activities under the Amgen CTCSA. The parties will jointly own collaboration data and combination-related intellectual property, if any, arising from the combination clinical trial. We and Amgen each retain commercial rights to our respective compounds, including with respect to use as a monotherapy agent or combination agent.
Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement with Gilead for IDE397
In November 2023, we entered into the Gilead CSCSA with Gilead to clinically evaluate IDE397 in combination with Trodelvy (sacituzumab-govitecan-hziy), a Trop-2 directed ADC, in patients having MTAP-deletion bladder cancer, in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Under the mutually non-exclusive Gilead CSCSA, we will receive Trodelvy drug supply from Gilead and will sponsor the Phase 1 clinical combination trial evaluating ID397 and Trodelvy. Gilead will bear internal or external costs incurred in connection with its supply of Trodelvy. We will bear all internal and external costs and expenses associated with the conduct of the combination study. We and Gilead will jointly oversee clinical development of the combination therapy through a Joint Steering Committee responsible for coordinating all regulatory and other activities under the Gilead CSCSA. We and Gilead each retain commercial rights to our respective compounds, including with respect to use as a monotherapy agent or combination agent.
Exclusive Option and License Agreement with Cancer Research UK for IDE161
In April 2017, we entered into the CRUK/Manchester Agreement with Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester, which was amended on April 24, 2019 and on March 3, 2020, for the development and commercialization of licensed products comprising pharmaceutical preparations of PARG inhibitors for all therapeutic uses.
Under this agreement, Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester have granted to us, and we have in turn granted to Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester, non-exclusive, sublicensable, royalty-free licenses to carry out non-clinical research during the research term, which ended with our exercise of our option described below. The non-clinical research was governed by a joint research committee comprised of representatives from each party. During the research term, no party was to undertake a drug discovery program in PARG inhibitors other than under this agreement.
Cancer Research UK also granted us the exclusive option to obtain an exclusive, sublicensable, worldwide, royalty-bearing license, under certain Cancer Research UK background intellectual property and Cancer Research UK’s interest in any intellectual property jointly developed under the agreement, to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize licensed products, as well as a non-exclusive, sublicensable, royalty-free, freedom-to-operate license under related intellectual property. Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester retain certain rights under the licensed intellectual property for academic, non-commercial research and teaching.
In the March 2020 second amendment to the CRUK/Manchester Agreement, the parties reduced the license fee due at exercise of our option, extended the research period to March 2021, and also extended the option period, during which we have rights to exercise an option to certain license rights. The expanded collaborative research included evaluation of an IDEAYA proprietary small molecule PARG inhibitor in multiplein vitro andin vivo ovarian cancer xenograft models. This research was also evaluating replication stress signature as a potential patient selection biomarker. The extended option period was for up to four additional years from March
2020, including an initial one year period to March 2021 and an additional eighteen month extension to September 2022, which has now been elected pursuant to our certification of ongoing program research activities.
In January 2022, we exercised our option for an exclusive worldwide license rights covering a broad class of PARG inhibitors from Cancer Research Technology Ltd. (CRT) and the University of Manchester, and in connection therewith, paid a one-time option exercise fee of £250,000.
Following our option exercise, we gained sole control and responsibility for the research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of the licensed PARG inhibitors. Cancer Research UK also transferred its know how relating to the research, development or manufacturing of the licensed PARG inhibitors to us.
We were obligated to use reasonable efforts to research a PARG inhibitor during the research term, and we are obligated to develop a PARG inhibitor for the treatment of a cancer indication now that we exercised the option.
Each party is the sole owner of any intellectual property it develops solely under the agreement, and the parties will be joint owners of any jointly developed intellectual property. Each party grants the other a non-exclusive, fully-paid, royalty free, irrevocable, sublicensable, perpetual license to its rights in such jointly created intellectual property to make, use and sell inventions claimed in the joint patents, except for those joint patents exclusively licensed to us under the agreement following our exercise of the option.
Before our exercise of the option, Cancer Research UK was responsible for the prosecution and maintenance of Cancer Research UK background patents specifically relating to PARG, while we were responsible for the prosecution and maintenance of patents covering inventions developed under the agreement as project intellectual property. Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester had the first right to enforce the patents covering inventions developed under the agreement as project intellectual property and we had the right to participate in such actions.
Following our exercise of the option, we have assumed Cancer Research UK’s prosecution and maintenance responsibilities for the Cancer Research UK background patents specifically relating to PARG and we obtained the first right to enforce such patents as well as the patents covering inventions developed under the agreement as project intellectual property, and Cancer Research UK will have the right to participate.
We pay all expenses associated with prosecution and maintenance and each party bears its own costs for enforcement. If we abandon the patents covering inventions developed under the agreement as project intellectual property, Cancer Research UK will thereafter be responsible for prosecuting and maintaining such patents. If we abandon such patents, Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester will be responsible for paying the expenses associated with the prosecution and maintenance of such patents.
In addition to an upfront fee of £100,000 and a one-time option exercise fee of £250,000, each of which have been paid, we have certain potential milestone-dependent financial obligations, including: (a) subject to completion of specific development and regulatory approval events for development of a PARG inhibitor in oncologic diseases, payments of up to £19.5 million per broad disease classification block – for example, in oncologic diseases, up to £13.0 million aggregate for a first achievement of such clinical and regulatory milestones and up to £6.5 million aggregate for a second achievement of such clinical and regulatory milestones; (b) subject to certain sales-based milestones based on net sales of licensed products. payments of up to £9 million per broad disease classification block – for example, in oncologic diseases, up to £6.0 million aggregate for a first achievement of such sales milestones and up to £3.0 million aggregate for a second achievement of such sales milestones; and (c) low single-digit tiered royalty payments based on aggregate worldwide net sales of all products, payable on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the later of the last-to-expire patent covering such product in such country and the ten year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such licensed product in such country.
The royalty payments are subject to reductions for payment obligations in the event third-party licenses are required to develop or commercialize the product or if the product is not covered by certain patents.
In April 2023, we incurred an obligation to pay milestone payments in an aggregate amount of £750,000 to CRT based upon the achievement of certain milestones relating to first and second tumor histologies in connection with the Phase 1 portion of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial in oncologic diseases.
Certain of the clinical and regulatory milestones are related to and may be due and payable by us if certain milestones are achieved in connection with the IDE161-001 Phase 1/2 clinical trial. We will be obligated to make future milestone payments to CRT aggregating up to £18.75 million upon the achievement of specific development and regulatory approval events for development of a PARG inhibitor in oncologic diseases, including an aggregate of up to £1.5 million and up to £2.25 for the achievement of certain Phase 2 and Phase 3 development milestones, respectively, in each case as relating to first (e.g., a breast cancer) and second (e.g., ovarian cancer) tumor histologies.
Following our exercise of the option, if we sublicense certain intellectual property developed under the agreement or Cancer Research UK background patents specifically relating to PARG, we will also have an obligation to pay to Cancer Research UK low double digit percentage of sublicense revenue we receive, if any. If the agreement is terminated due to our material breach, then we are eligible to receive a percentage of sublicensing revenue that Cancer Research UK receives for licensing intellectual property.
If the agreement is terminated by Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester pursuant to any of their termination rights, then Cancer Research UK and University of Manchester will have exclusive, worldwide rights to project intellectual property. If we terminate the agreement for material breach, then the licenses we receive upon exercise of the option survive, and our payment obligations will be reduced. Following our exercise of the option, the licenses we receive upon exercise of the option survive expiration of the agreement.
Collaboration, Option and License Agreement with GSK for Pol Theta and Werner Helicase
In June 2020, we entered into the GSK Collaboration Agreement, with GSK, pursuant to which we and GSK have entered into a collaboration for its synthetic lethality programs targeting MAT2A, Pol Theta and Werner Helicase. On July 27, 2020, we and GSK received Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act clearance, or HSR Clearance, and the GSK Collaboration Agreement became effective. Pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement, GSK paid the Company $100.0 million on July 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2023 GSK has made aggregate payments to us in the amount of $13.0 million for the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones with respect to Pol Theta and WRN products.
GSK Collaboration – MAT2A Program
Under the MAT2A program, we led research and development through early clinical development stage, and GSK had an exclusive option to obtain an exclusive license to continue development of and commercialize MAT2A products arising out of the MAT2A program, or the Option. We delivered an Option data package resulting from our conduct of a dose escalation portion of a MAT2A Phase 1 monotherapy clinical trial pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement, following which the Option was exercisable within a specified time period.
In January 2022, GSK waived its rights under the GSK Collaboration Agreement to initiate, or request that we initiate, prior to GSK’s exercise of the Option, a Phase 1 combination clinical trial for a MAT2A product and GSK’s Type I PRMT inhibitor (GSK3368715) product, or the MAT2A Combination Trial. Accordingly, we have no further obligation under the GSK Collaboration Agreement to supply MAT2A product for the MAT2A Combination Trial at its own cost. Our obligation to supply the MAT2A compound for the MAT2A Combination Study was deemed a material right under the GSK Collaboration Agreement.
In August 2022, we received notice from GSK waiving its rights to exercise its Option, or the MAT2A Option Waiver, pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement. As such, we retain and fully own all right, title and interest in and to IDE397 and the MAT2A program, including all worldwide commercial rights thereto. We will be responsible for the costs of further research and clinical development activities that we conduct for the MAT2A program following the MAT2A Option Waiver.
GSK Collaboration - Pol Theta Program
Pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement, GSK holds a global, exclusive license to develop and commercialize Pol Theta products arising out of the Pol Theta program. We and GSK collaborated on preclinical research for the Pol Theta program, and GSK is leading clinical development for the Pol Theta program. GSK is responsible for all research and development costs for the Pol Theta program.
We will be eligible to receive total development and regulatory milestones of up to $485.0 million, with respect to each Pol Theta product, including as applicable, for multiple Pol Theta products that target certain alternative protein domains or are based on alternative modalities. Additionally, we will be eligible to receive up to $475 million of commercial milestones with respect to the Pol Theta product. We are also entitled to receive tiered royalties on global net sales of Pol Theta products by GSK, its affiliates and their sublicensees ranging from high single digit to sub-teen double digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions.
In June 2022, we announced the nomination of a Pol Theta Helicase Inhibitor DC and in August 2022, announced the achievement of an initial preclinical development milestone in connection with ongoing IND-enabling studies to support evaluation of Pol Theta Helicase Inhibitor DC, triggering a $3.0 million milestone payment, which we received in October 2022.
An IND was submitted and was cleared by the FDA in August 2023 to enable clinical evaluation in combination with niraparib, triggering a $7.0 million milestone payment.
We have the potential to achieve an additional $10.0 million development milestone upon initiation of Phase 1 clinical dose expansion, as well as potential further aggregate late-stage development and regulatory milestones of up to $465 million. Upon commercialization, we will be eligible to receive up to $475.0 million of commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on global net sales of GSK101 – ranging from high single-digit to sub-teen double-digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions.
GSK Collaboration - Werner Helicase Program
Pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement, GSK holds a global, exclusive license to develop and commercialize WRN products arising out of the WRN program. We and GSK are collaborating on ongoing preclinical research for the WRN program, and GSK will lead clinical development for the WRN program, with IDEAYA responsible for 20% and GSK responsible for 80% of such global research and development costs. The cost-sharing percentages will be adjusted based on the actual ratio of U.S. to global profits for WRN products, as measured three and six years after global commercial launch thereof.
We will be eligible to receive total development milestones of up to $485.0 million, with respect to each WRN product, including as applicable, for multiple WRN products that are based on alternative modalities. Additionally, we will be eligible to receive up to $475 million of commercial milestones with respect to the WRN product. We will be entitled to receive 50% of U.S. net profits and tiered royalties on global non-U.S. net sales of WRN products by GSK, its affiliates and their sublicensees ranging from high single digit to sub-teen double digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions. We will have a right to opt-out of the 50% U.S. net profit share and corresponding research and development cost share for the WRN program, and would be eligible to receive tiered royalties on U.S. net sales of WRN products by GSK, its affiliates and their sublicensees at the same royalty rates as for global non-U.S. net sales thereafter, with economic adjustments based on the stage of the WRN program at the time of opt-out.
In October 2023, we announced the nomination of a Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC and the achievement of an initial preclinical development milestone in connection with ongoing IND-enabling studies to support evaluation of Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC, triggering a $3.0 million milestone payment.
We have the potential to achieve an additional $17.0 million development milestones through early Phase 1 clinical studies, including $7.0 million upon IND clearance, as well as potential further aggregate late-stage development and regulatory milestones of up to $465 million. Upon commercialization, we will be eligible to receive up to $475.0 million of commercial milestones, 50% of U.S. net profits and tiered royalties on global non-U.S. net sales of the Werner Helicase Inhibitor DC – ranging from high single-digit to sub-teen double-digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions.
GSK Collaboration - General
Under the terms of the GSK Collaboration Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, we and GSK will not, directly or through third parties, develop or commercialize other products whose primary and intended mechanism of action is the modulation of WRN or Pol Theta for an agreed upon period of time. We and GSK have formed a joint steering committee, joint development committees, and joint commercialization committees responsible for coordinating all activities under the GSK Collaboration Agreement. Ownership of intellectual property developed under the GSK Collaboration Agreement is allocated between or shared by the parties depending on development and subject matter.
GSK’s royalty obligations continue with respect to each country and each product until the later of (i) the date on which such product is no longer covered by certain intellectual property rights in such country and (ii) the 10th anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country.
Each party has the right to sublicense its rights under the GSK Collaboration Agreement subject to certain conditions.
The GSK Collaboration Agreement will continue in effect on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the expiration of the obligation to make payments under the GSK Collaboration Agreement with respect to such product in each country, unless earlier terminated by either party pursuant to its terms. Either party may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement for the other party’s insolvency or certain uncured breaches. We may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement if GSK or any of its sublicensees or affiliates challenge certain patents of ours. GSK may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement in its entirety or on a target-by-target basis upon 90-day notice to us.
Sales and Marketing
We intend to become a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company. This will enable us to realize our goal of delivering transformative drugs to patients. We currently hold worldwide commercialization rights to each of our product candidates, and intend to retain significant rights in key markets. In light of our stage of development, we have not yet established sales and marketing capabilities. We are planning for potential commercial operations, including for sales and marketing capabilities, subject to further process of our potentially registrational Phase 2/3 clinical trial for darovasertib.
We plan to build our own sales force to commercialize approved products, if any, in the United States and potentially in Europe and other selected foreign countries, and we expect to initiate commercial readiness activities in anticipation of receiving marketing approvals. We believe a moderately sized specialty sales force would enable us to reach oncologists who specialize in treating the patient populations for our product candidates. We may enter into distribution and other marketing arrangements with third parties for any of our product candidates that obtain marketing approval.
We also plan to build a marketing and sales management organization to create and implement marketing strategies for any products that we market through our own sales organization and to oversee and support our sales force.
Manufacturing
We currently rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties for the manufacture of our product candidates and our biomarker diagnostics for preclinical and clinical testing, as well as for future commercial manufacture of any drugs and diagnostics that we may commercialize. We do not own or operate, and currently have no plans to establish, any manufacturing facilities.
In general, we plan to establish agreements with contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, for synthesis of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, manufacturing of drug product comprising such API, as well as packaging, labeling and distribution.
We have also established supply arrangements with one or more CMOs for each of our development programs in support of our current clinical development needs.
Our lead product candidates darovasertib, IDE397, IDE161 and Pol Theta are each small molecules that can be manufactured in reliable and reproducible synthetic processes from readily available starting materials. We believe the synthetic chemistry is amenable to scale-up using standard manufacturing equipment and processes. We expect that the compounds being discovered and developed for our other pipeline programs, including WRN, and other future programs, will also be small molecule product candidates that can be produced at contract manufacturing facilities.
In many cases, we anticipate that the biomarker diagnostic may be commercially available on an existing third-party diagnostic panel or assay. In cases where such biomarker diagnostic is not already commercially available, we generally expect to establish agreements with strategic partners for clinical supply of companion diagnostics for biomarkers associated with the targeted therapeutics we are developing.
Government Regulation
Government authorities in the United States, at the federal, state and local level, and in other countries extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, quality control, approval, labeling, packaging, storage, record-keeping, promotion, advertising, distribution, marketing and export and import of products such as those we are developing. A new drug must be approved by the FDA through the NDA process before it may be legally marketed in the United States.
U.S. Drug Development Process
In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA, and its implementing regulations. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval may subject an applicant to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the FDA’s refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, a clinical hold, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement or civil or criminal penalties. Any agency or judicial enforcement action could have a material adverse effect on us.
The process required by the FDA before a drug may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:
completion of preclinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies in accordance with good laboratory practice, or GLP, regulations and other applicable regulations;
submission to the FDA of an IND, which must become effective before clinical trials in humans may begin;
approval by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, at each clinical site before each clinical trial may be initiated;
performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with good clinical practice, or GCP, regulations to establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed drug for its intended use;
submission to the FDA of an NDA;
satisfactory completion of an FDA advisory committee review, if applicable;
satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the drug is produced to assess compliance with current good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, regulations to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the drug’s identity, strength, quality and purity; and
FDA review and approval of the NDA.
Once a pharmaceutical product candidate is identified for development, it enters the preclinical testing stage. Preclinical tests include laboratory evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well as animal studies. An IND sponsor must submit the results of the preclinical tests, together with manufacturing information and analytical data, to the FDA as part of the IND. The sponsor will also include a protocol detailing, among other things, the objectives of the first phase clinical trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated, if the first phase lends itself to an efficacy evaluation. Some preclinical testing may continue even after the IND is submitted. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, places the clinical trial on a clinical hold. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. A clinical hold also may be imposed by the FDA at any time during a clinical trial due to safety concerns or non-compliance with specific FDA requirements, and the clinical trial may not continue until the FDA notifies the sponsor that the hold has been lifted.
All clinical trials must be conducted under the supervision of one or more qualified investigators in accordance with GCP regulations, which include the requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent in writing for their participation in any clinical trial. They must be conducted under protocols detailing the objectives of the clinical trial, dosing procedures, subject selection and exclusion criteria and the safety and effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. An IRB at each institution participating in the clinical trial must review and approve each protocol before a clinical trial commences at that institution and must also approve the information regarding the clinical trial and the consent form that must be provided to each clinical trial subject or his or her legal representative, monitor the clinical trial until completed and otherwise comply with IRB regulations.
Human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases that may overlap or be combined:
Phase 1: The product candidate is initially introduced into healthy human subjects and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion and, if possible, to gain an early indication of its effectiveness. In the case of some products for severe or life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, especially when the product may be too inherently toxic to ethically administer to healthy volunteers, the initial human testing is often conducted in patients. Sponsors sometimes designate their Phase 1 clinical trials as Phase 1a or Phase 1b. Phase 1b clinical trials are typically aimed at confirming dosing, pharmacokinetics and safety in a larger number of patients. Some Phase 1b studies evaluate biomarkers or surrogate markers that may be associated with efficacy in patients with specific types of diseases.
Phase 2: This phase involves clinical trials in a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of the product for specific targeted diseases and to determine dosage tolerance and appropriate dosage.
Phase 3: Clinical trials are undertaken to further evaluate dosage, clinical efficacy and safety in an expanded patient population, generally at geographically dispersed clinical trial sites. These clinical trials are intended to establish the overall risk-benefit ratio of the product candidate and provide, if appropriate, an adequate basis for product labeling.
Post-approval trials, sometimes referred to as Phase 4 clinical trials, may be conducted after initial marketing approval. These clinical trials are used to gain additional experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication. In certain instances, the FDA may mandate the performance of Phase 4 clinical trials as a condition of approval of an NDA.
The FDA or the sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly, an IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its institution if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s requirements or if the drug has been associated with unexpected serious harm to patients. In addition, some clinical trials are overseen by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the sponsor, known as a data safety monitoring board or committee. Depending on its charter, this group may determine whether a clinical trial may move forward at designated check points based on access to certain data from the clinical trial.
During the development of a new drug, sponsors are given opportunities to meet with the FDA at certain points. These points may be prior to submission of an IND, at the end of Phase 2, and before an NDA is submitted. Meetings at other times may be requested. These meetings can provide an opportunity for the sponsor to share information about the data gathered to date, for the FDA to provide advice, and for the sponsor and the FDA to reach agreement on the next phase of development. Sponsors typically use the meetings at the end of the Phase 2 clinical trial to discuss Phase 2 clinical results and present plans for the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials that they believe will support approval of the new drug.
Concurrent with clinical trials, companies may conduct additional animal studies and also develop additional information about the chemistry and physical characteristics of the drug and finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the product candidate and, among other things, the manufacturer must develop methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final drug. In addition, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested, and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the product candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.
While the IND is active and before approval, progress reports summarizing the results of the clinical trials and nonclinical studies performed since the last progress report must be submitted at least annually to the FDA, and written IND safety reports must be submitted to the FDA and investigators for serious and unexpected suspected adverse events, findings from other studies suggesting a significant risk to humans exposed to the same or similar drugs, findings from animal or laboratory testing suggesting a significant risk to humans, and any clinically important increased incidence of a serious suspected adverse reaction compared to that listed in the protocol or investigator brochure.
There are also requirements governing the reporting of ongoing clinical trials and completed clinical trial results to public registries. Sponsors of certain clinical trials of FDA-regulated products are required to register and disclose specified clinical trial information, which is publicly available at www.clinicaltrials.gov. Information related to the product, patient population, phase of investigation, clinical trial sites and investigators and other aspects of the clinical trial is then made public as part of the registration. Sponsors are also obligated to discuss the results of their clinical trials after completion. Disclosure of the results of these clinical trials can be delayed until the new product or new indication being studied has been approved.
U.S. Review and Approval Process
The results of product development, preclinical and other non-clinical studies and clinical trials, along with descriptions of the manufacturing process, analytical tests conducted on the chemistry of the drug, proposed labeling and other relevant information are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA requesting approval to market the product. The submission of an NDA is subject to the payment of substantial user fees; a waiver of such fees may be obtained under certain limited circumstances. The FDA reviews an NDA to determine, among other things, whether a product is safe and effective for its intended use and whether its manufacturing is cGMP-compliant to assure and preserve the product’s identity, strength, quality and purity. The FDA conducts a preliminary review of all NDAs within the first 60 days after submission, before accepting them for filing, to determine whether they are sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The FDA may request additional information rather than accept an NDA for filing. In this event, the NDA must be resubmitted with the additional information. The resubmitted application also is subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, the FDA has agreed to certain performance goals in the review of NDAs through a two-tiered classification system, standard review and priority review. According to the current PDUFA performance goals for new molecular entity NDAs, the FDA endeavors to review and act on applications within ten months of the 60-day filing date under standard review, and within six months of the 60-day filing date under priority review.
The FDA may refer an application for a novel drug to an advisory committee. An advisory committee is a panel of independent experts, including clinicians and other scientific experts, that reviews, evaluates and provides a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions. Before approving an NDA, the FDA will inspect the facility or facilities where the product is manufactured. The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an NDA, the FDA may inspect one or more clinical trial sites to assure compliance with GCP requirements.
After the FDA evaluates an NDA, it will issue an approval letter or a Complete Response Letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with prescribing information for specific indications. A Complete Response Letter indicates that the review cycle of the application is complete and the application will not be approved in its present form. A Complete Response Letter usually describes the specific deficiencies in the NDA identified by the FDA and may require additional clinical data, such as an additional pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial or other significant and time-consuming requirements related to clinical trials, nonclinical studies or manufacturing. If a Complete Response Letter is issued, the sponsor must resubmit the NDA, addressing all of the deficiencies identified in the letter, or withdraw the application. Even if such data and information are submitted, the FDA may decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval.
If a product receives regulatory approval, the approval may be significantly limited to specific diseases and dosages or the indications for use may otherwise be limited, which could restrict the commercial value of the product. In addition, the FDA may require a sponsor to conduct Phase 4 testing, which involves clinical trials designed to further assess a drug’s safety and effectiveness after NDA approval, and may require testing and surveillance programs to monitor the safety of approved products which have been commercialized. The FDA may also place other conditions on approval including the requirement for a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, to assure the safe use of the drug. If the FDA concludes a REMS is needed, the sponsor of the NDA must submit a proposed REMS. The FDA will not approve the NDA without an approved REMS, if required. A REMS could include medication guides, physician communication plans or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools. Any of these limitations on approval or marketing could restrict the commercial promotion, distribution, prescription or dispensing of products. Marketing approval may be withdrawn for non-compliance with regulatory requirements or if problems occur following initial marketing.
Pediatric Use
Even when not pursuing a pediatric indication, under the Pediatric Research Equity Act, or PREA, an NDA or supplement thereto must contain data that is adequate to assess the safety and effectiveness of the drug product for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations, and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the product is safe and effective. In addition, any sponsor planning to submit an NDA or supplement subject to PREA must submit an initial pediatric study plan, or iPSP, to the IND early in development. The iPSP must contain an outline of the proposed pediatric trials the sponsor plans to conduct, including trial objectives and design, any deferral or waiver requests, and other information required by regulation. The FDA must then review the information submitted, consult with the sponsor, and agree upon a final plan. The FDA or the sponsor may request an amendment to the plan at any time. The FDA may, on its own initiative or at the request of the applicant, grant deferrals for submission of some or all pediatric data until after approval of the product for use in adults, or full or partial waivers from the pediatric data requirements.
Separately, the FDA may issue a Written Request for pediatric studies relating to a drug product if it has determined that information related to the use of the drug in the pediatric population may produce health benefits. If the sponsor conducts the studies pursuant to the Written Request and submits the study reports within the specified timeline, the drug may be entitled to pediatric exclusivity. Pediatric exclusivity is a type of non-patent marketing exclusivity which, if granted, provides for the attachment of an additional six months of marketing protection to the term of any existing exclusivity. Sponsors may submit a proposal asking the FDA to issue a Written Request for this purpose.
U.S. Orphan Drug Designation
Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan drug designation to a drug intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is a disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States or, if it affects more than 200,000 individuals in the United States, there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making the drug product available in the United States for the disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product in the United States. Orphan drug designation must be requested before submitting an NDA. After the FDA grants orphan drug designation, the identity of the therapeutic agent and its designated orphan use are disclosed publicly by the FDA. Orphan drug designation conveys certain financial incentives, including opportunities for grant funding, tax credits for certain clinical trial costs and certain user-fee waivers. Orphan designation does not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process.
If a product that has orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease or condition for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan drug exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not approve any other application to market the same drug for the same indication for seven years, except in limited circumstances, such as a subsequent product demonstration of clinical superiority to the product with orphan drug exclusivity. Competitors may receive approval of different drugs for the indication for which the orphan product has exclusivity or obtain approval for the same drug but for a different indication from that for which the orphan product has exclusivity. Our product candidates could also be blocked from approval if a competitor obtains approval of the same drug for the same rare disease or condition before we do.
A designated orphan drug may not receive orphan drug exclusivity if it is approved for a use that is broader than the indication for which it received orphan designation. In addition, exclusive marketing rights in the United States may also be lost if the FDA later determines that the request for designation was materially defective or if the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient quantities of the product to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition.
In April 2022, the FDA designated darovasertib as an orphan drug for the treatment of UM, including MUM, and we may seek orphan drug designation for additional product candidates in the future. Orphan drug designation does not guarantee that any product candidate will be approved for the designated rare disease or condition, if at all.
U.S. Expedited Development and Review Programs
The FDA offers a number of expedited development and review programs for qualifying product candidates intended to treat serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions.
New drug products are eligible for fast track designation if they are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the disease or condition. Fast track designation applies to the combination of the product and the specific indication for which it is being studied. The sponsor of a fast track product has opportunities for frequent interactions with the review team during product development and, once an NDA is submitted, the product may be eligible for priority review. A fast track product may also be eligible for rolling review, where the FDA may consider for review sections of the NDA on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted, if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the NDA, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the NDA and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the NDA.
A product intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition may also be eligible for breakthrough therapy designation to expedite its development and review. A product can receive breakthrough therapy designation if preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. The designation includes all of the fast track program features, as well as more intensive FDA interaction and guidance beginning as early as Phase 1 and an organizational commitment to expedite the development and review of the product, including involvement of senior managers.
After an NDA is submitted for a product, including a product with a fast track designation and/or breakthrough therapy designation, the NDA may be eligible for priority review. A product is eligible for priority review if it has the potential to provide a significant improvement in the treatment or prevention of a serious disease or condition compared to marketed products. If the drug contains a new molecular entity, priority review designation means the FDA’s goal is to take an action on the marketing application within six months of the 60-day filing date, compared with ten months under standard review.
Additionally, products studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions may receive accelerated approval upon a determination that the product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, or on a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than irreversible morbidity or mortality, that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity, rarity, or prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. As a condition of accelerated approval, the FDA will require the sponsor to perform one or more adequate and well-controlled post-marketing confirmatory trials to verify and describe the anticipated effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit. In addition, the FDA currently requires as a condition for accelerated approval pre-approval of promotional materials, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product. The FDA may withdraw approval of a drug or indication approved under the accelerated approval pathway if a trial required to verify the predicted clinical benefit fails to verify such benefit or if the applicant fails to conduct any required post-approval trial with due diligence. Recently, the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act, or FDORA, enacted as part of the year-end omnibus spending bill in December 2022, included several reforms intended to expand the FDA’s ability to regulate products receiving accelerated approval, including by increasing the FDA’s oversight over the conduct of confirmatory trials; however, the ultimate impact of these reforms remains unclear.
Even if a product qualifies for one or more of these expedited development and review programs, the FDA may later decide that the product no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. In November 2022, the FDA granted fast track designation to darovasertib in combination with crizotinib for treatment of adult patients with MUM. We also expect to pursue breakthrough therapy designation and accelerated approval for darovasertib and may explore some of these opportunities for our other product candidates as appropriate. We received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA for IDE161 for ovarian cancer and breast cancer indications.
U.S. Post-approval Requirements
Once an approval is granted, the FDA may withdraw the approval if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product may result in restrictions on the product or even complete withdrawal of the product from the market. After approval, some types of changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications, certain manufacturing changes and additional labeling claims, are subject to further FDA review and approval. Drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with cGMP regulations and other laws and regulations. In addition, the FDA may impose a number of post-approval requirements as a condition of approval of an NDA. For example, the FDA may require post-marketing testing, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety and effectiveness after commercialization.
Any drug products manufactured or distributed by us or our partners pursuant to FDA approvals will be subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, record-keeping requirements, reporting of adverse experiences with the drug, providing the FDA with updated safety and efficacy information, drug sampling and distribution requirements, complying with certain electronic records and signature requirements, and complying with FDA promotion and advertising requirements. The FDA strictly regulates labeling, advertising, promotion and other types of information on products that are placed on the market and imposes requirements and restrictions on drug manufacturers, such as those related to direct-to-consumer advertising, the prohibition on promoting products for uses or in patient populations that are not described in the product’s approved labeling (known as “off-label use”), industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the internet. Discovery of previously unknown problems or the failure to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements may result in restrictions on the marketing of a product or withdrawal of the product from the market as well as possible civil or criminal sanctions. Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval, may subject an applicant or manufacturer to administrative or judicial civil or criminal sanctions and adverse publicity. FDA sanctions could include refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, clinical holds on post-approval clinical trials, warning or untitled letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, mandated corrective advertising or communications with doctors, debarment, restitution, disgorgement of profits, or civil or criminal penalties.
U.S. Marketing Exclusivity
Market exclusivity provisions under the FDCA can delay the submission or the approval of certain marketing applications. The FDCA provides a five-year period of non-patent marketing exclusivity within the United States to the first applicant to obtain approval of an NDA for a new chemical entity. A drug is a new chemical entity if the FDA has not previously approved any other drug containing the same active moiety, which is the molecule or ion responsible for the action of the drug substance. During the exclusivity period, the FDA may not approve or even accept for review an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, or an NDA submitted under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA, or 505(b)(2) NDA, submitted by another company for another drug that contains the same active moiety. However, an application may be submitted after four years if it contains a certification of patent invalidity or non-infringement to one of the patents listed with the FDA by the innovator NDA holder.
The FDCA alternatively provides three years of marketing exclusivity for a change to a previously approved drug, such as a new indication or condition of use, submitted in an NDA, or supplement to an existing NDA, if one or more new clinical investigations, other than bioavailability or bioequivalence studies, that were conducted or sponsored by the applicant are deemed by the FDA to be essential to the approval of the application. This three-year exclusivity covers only the modification for which the drug received approval on the basis of the new clinical investigations and does not prohibit the FDA from approving ANDAs or 505(b)(2) NDAs for drugs containing the active agent for the original indication or condition of use.
Five-year and three-year exclusivity will not delay the submission or approval of a full NDA. However, an applicant submitting a full NDA would be required to conduct or obtain a right of reference to all of the preclinical studies and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials necessary to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.
Other types of non-patent exclusivity include seven-year orphan drug exclusivity and six-month pediatric exclusivity (each discussed above).
FDA Regulation of Companion Diagnostics
We are collaborating or expect to collaborate with strategic partners or CROs to manufacture and supplyin vitro diagnostics to identify patients with biomarkers associated with the targeted therapeutics we are developing. These diagnostics, often referred to as companion diagnostics, are regulated as medical devices. In the United States, the FDCA and its implementing regulations, and other federal and state statutes and regulations govern, among other things, medical device design and development, preclinical and clinical testing, premarket clearance or approval, registration and listing, manufacturing, labeling, storage, advertising and promotion, sales and distribution, export and import, and post-market surveillance.
Under the FDCA, medical devices are classified into one of three classes – Class I, Class II or Class III – depending on the degree of risk associated with each medical device and the extent of control needed to provide reasonable assurances with respect to safety and effectiveness. Class I devices are those for which safety and effectiveness can be reasonably assured by adherence to a set of regulations, referred to as General Controls, which require compliance with the applicable portions of the FDA’s Quality System Regulation, or QSR, facility registration and product listing, reporting of adverse events and malfunctions, and appropriate, truthful and non-misleading labeling and promotional materials. Class II devices are those that are subject to the General Controls, as well as Special Controls, which can include performance standards, guidelines and postmarket surveillance. Most Class II devices are subject to premarket review and clearance by the FDA. Premarket review and clearance by the FDA is accomplished through the 510(k) premarket notification process. Under the 510(k) process, the manufacturer must submit to the FDA a premarket notification, demonstrating that the device is “substantially equivalent” to a predicate device. To be “substantially equivalent,” the proposed device must have the same intended use as the predicate device, and either have the same technological characteristics as the predicate device or have different technological characteristics and not raise different questions of safety or effectiveness than the predicate device. Class III devices include devices deemed by the FDA to pose the greatest risk such as life-supporting or life-sustaining devices, or implantable devices, in addition to new devices deemed not substantially equivalent following the 510(k) process. The safety and effectiveness of Class III devices cannot be reasonably assured solely by the General Controls and Special Controls. Therefore, these devices are generally subject to the premarket approval, or PMA, application process, which is generally more costly and time-consuming than the 510(k) process.
Alternatively, a device might be the subject of ade novo classification request, which seeks marketing authorization and reclassification as a lower-risk Class I or Class II device for a new device that otherwise would automatically be regulated as a Class III device requiring a PMA approval. Specifically, medical device types that the FDA has not previously classified as Class I, II or III are automatically classified into Class III regardless of the level of risk they pose. The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 established a new route to market for low to moderate risk medical devices that are automatically placed into Class III due to the absence of a predicate device, called the “Request for Evaluation of Automatic Class III Designation,” or thede novo classification procedure. This procedure allows a manufacturer whose novel device is automatically classified into Class III to request down-classification of its medical device into Class I or Class II on the basis that the device presents low or moderate risk, rather than requiring the submission and approval of a PMA application.
If the use of a companion diagnostic is essential to the safe and effective use of a drug or biologic product, then the FDA generally will require approval or clearance of the diagnostic contemporaneously with the approval of the therapeutic product. In July 2014, the FDA issued a final guidance document addressing the development and approval process forin vitro companion diagnostic devices. According to the guidance, for novel product candidates such as ours, a companion diagnostic device and its corresponding drug or biologic candidate should be approved or cleared contemporaneously by the FDA for the use indicated in the therapeutic product labeling. The guidance also explains that a companion diagnostic device used to make treatment decisions in clinical trials of a drug generally will be considered an investigational device, unless it is employed for an intended use for which the device is already approved or cleared. If used to make critical treatment decisions, such as patient selection, the diagnostic device generally will be considered a significant risk device under the FDA’s Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, regulations. Thus, the sponsor of the diagnostic device will be required to comply with the IDE regulations. According to the guidance, if a diagnostic device and a drug are to be studied together to support their respective approvals, both products can be studied in the same investigational study, if the study meets both the requirements of the IDE regulations and the IND regulations. The guidance provides that depending on the details of the study plan and subjects, a sponsor may seek to submit an IND alone, or both an IND and an IDE. In July 2016, the FDA issued a draft guidance document intended to further assist sponsors of therapeutic products and sponsors ofin vitro companion diagnostic devices on issues related to co-development of these products. In December 2018, the FDA issued another draft guidance document to facilitate class labeling onin vitro companion diagnostic devices for oncology therapeutic products, under which a companion diagnostic’s labeling may identify a specific group or class of therapeutic products, rather than specific products, where scientifically appropriate.
The FDA generally requires companion diagnostics intended to select the patients who will respond to cancer treatment to obtain approval of a PMA for that diagnostic contemporaneously with approval of the therapeutic, though 510(k) clearance or grant of ade novo classification request are also possible. The review of thesein vitro companion diagnostics in conjunction with the review of a cancer therapeutic involves coordination of review by the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research or Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and by the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. The PMA process, including the gathering of clinical and preclinical data and the submission to and review by the FDA, can take several years or longer. It involves a rigorous premarket review during which the applicant must prepare and provide the FDA with reasonable assurance of the device’s safety and effectiveness and information about the device and its components regarding, among other things, device design, manufacturing and labeling. PMA applications are subject to an application fee. In addition, PMAs for certain devices must generally include the results from extensive preclinical and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and effectiveness of the device for each indication for which FDA approval is sought. In particular, for a diagnostic, the applicant must demonstrate that the diagnostic produces reproducible results when the same sample is tested multiple times by multiple users at multiple laboratories. As part of the PMA review, the FDA will typically inspect the manufacturer’s facilities for compliance with the QSR, which imposes elaborate testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance requirements.
If the FDA evaluations of both the PMA application and the manufacturing facilities are favorable, the FDA will either issue an approval letter or an approvable letter, which usually contains a number of conditions that must be met in order to secure the final approval of the PMA, such as changes in labeling, or specific additional information, such as submission of final labeling, in order to secure final approval of the PMA. If the FDA concludes that the applicable criteria have been met, the FDA will issue a PMA for the approved indications, which can be more limited than those originally sought by the applicant. The PMA can include post-approval conditions that the FDA believes necessary to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device, including, among other things, restrictions on labeling, promotion, sale and distribution.
If the FDA’s evaluation of the PMA or manufacturing facilities is not favorable, the FDA will deny approval of the PMA or issue a not approvable letter. A not approvable letter will outline the deficiencies in the application and, where practical, will identify what is necessary to make the PMA approvable. The FDA may also determine that additional clinical trials are necessary, in which case the PMA approval may be delayed for several months or years while the clinical trials are conducted and then the data submitted in an amendment to the PMA. Once granted, PMA approval may be withdrawn by the FDA if compliance with post approval requirements, conditions of approval or other regulatory standards is not maintained or problems are identified following initial marketing. PMA approval is not guaranteed, and the FDA may ultimately respond to a PMA submission with a not approvable determination based on deficiencies in the application and require additional clinical trials or other data that may be expensive and time-consuming to generate and that can substantially delay approval.
If a companion diagnostic is the subject of ade novo classification request in lieu of a PMA, the FDA is required to classify the device within 120 days following receipt of thede novo submission. If the manufacturer seeks reclassification into Class II, the manufacturer must include a draft proposal for special controls that are necessary to provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the medical device. The FDA may reject the reclassification petition if it identifies a legally marketed predicate device that would be appropriate for a 510(k) or determines that the device is not low to moderate risk or that general controls would be inadequate to control the risks and special controls cannot be developed. If thede novo request is granted, the new device may be legally marketed (in compliance with applicable regulatory controls), a new classification regulation for the device type will be established, and the device may serve as a predicate device for 510(k) submissions for future devices of the same type.
After a device is placed on the market, it remains subject to significant regulatory requirements. Medical devices may be marketed only for the uses and indications for which they are cleared or approved. Device manufacturers must also establish registration and device listings with the FDA. A medical device manufacturer’s manufacturing processes and those of its suppliers are required to comply with the applicable portions of the QSR, which cover the methods and documentation of the design, testing, production, processes, controls, quality assurance, labeling, packaging and shipping of medical devices. Domestic facility records and manufacturing processes are subject to periodic unscheduled inspections by the FDA. The FDA also may inspect foreign facilities that export products to the United States.
Regulation Outside the United States
To the extent that any of our product candidates, once approved, are sold in a foreign country, we would be subject to numerous and varying foreign laws and regulations regarding safety and efficacy and governing, among other things, clinical trials, marketing authorization, commercial sales and distribution of our products, and may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or other transfers of value to healthcare professionals. The foreign regulatory approval process includes all of the risks associated with FDA approval set forth above, as well as additional country-specific regulation.
Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain approval of a product by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. Approval by one regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions. The approval process varies from country to country, can involve additional testing beyond that required by FDA, and may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing, promotion, and reimbursement vary greatly from country to country.
Non-clinical Studies and Clinical Trials
Similarly to the United States, the various phases of non-clinical and clinical research in the European Union, or EU, are subject to significant regulatory controls.
Non-clinical studies are performed to demonstrate the health or environmental safety of new chemical or biological substances. Non-clinical (pharmaco-toxicological) studies must be conducted in compliance with the principles of good laboratory practice, or GLP, as set forth in EU Directive 2004/10/EC (unless otherwise justified for certain particular medicinal products, e.g., radio-pharmaceutical precursors for radio-labeling purposes). In particular, non-clinical studies, bothin vitro andin vivo, must be planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported and archived in accordance with the GLP principles, which define a set of rules and criteria for a quality system for the organizational process and the conditions for non-clinical studies. These GLP standards reflect the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development requirements.
Clinical trials of medicinal products in the EU must be conducted in accordance with EU and national regulations and the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, or ICH, guidelines on Good Clinical Practices, or GCP, as well as the applicable regulatory requirements and the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki. If the sponsor of the clinical trial is not established within the EU, it must appoint an EU entity to act as its legal representative. The sponsor must take out a clinical trial insurance policy, and in most EU member states, the sponsor is liable to provide ‘no fault’ compensation to any study subject injured in the clinical trial.
The regulatory landscape related to clinical trials in the EU has been subject to recent changes. The EU Clinical Trials Regulation, or CTR, which was adopted in April 2014 and repeals the EU Clinical Trials Directive, became applicable on January 31, 2022. Unlike directives, the CTR is directly applicable in all EU member states without the need for member states to further implement it into national law. The CTR notably harmonizes the assessment and supervision processes for clinical trials throughout the EU via a Clinical Trials Information System, which contains a centralized EU portal and database.
While the EU Clinical Trials Directive required a separate clinical trial application, or CTA, to be submitted in each member state in which the clinical trial takes place, to both the competent national health authority and an independent ethics committee, much like the FDA and IRB respectively, the CTR introduces a centralized process and only requires the submission of a single application for multi-center trials. The CTR allows sponsors to make a single submission to both the competent authority and an ethics committee in each member state, leading to a single decision per member state. The CTA must include, among other things, a copy of the trial protocol and an investigational medicinal product dossier containing information about the manufacture and quality of the medicinal product under investigation. The assessment procedure of the CTA has been harmonized as well, including a joint assessment by all member states concerned, and a separate assessment by each member state with respect to specific requirements related to its own territory, including ethics rules. Each member state’s decision is communicated to the sponsor via the centralized EU portal. Once the CTA is approved, clinical study development may proceed.
The CTR foresees a three-year transition period. The extent to which ongoing and new clinical trials will be governed by the CTR varies. Clinical trials for which an application was submitted (i) prior to January 31, 2022 under the EU Clinical Trials Directive, or (ii) between January 31, 2022 and January 31, 2023 and for which the sponsor has opted for the application of the EU Clinical Trials Directive remain governed by said Directive until January 31, 2025. After this date, all clinical trials (including those which are ongoing) will become subject to the provisions of the CTR.
Medicines used in clinical trials must be manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice, or GMP. Other national and EU-wide regulatory requirements may also apply.
Marketing Authorization
In order to market our future products in the EU and many other foreign jurisdictions, we must obtain separate regulatory approvals. More concretely, in the EU, medicinal product candidates can only be commercialized after obtaining a marketing authorization, or MA. To obtain regulatory approval of a product candidate under EU regulatory systems, we must submit a MA application, or MAA. There are two types of MAs:
“Centralized MAs” are issued by the European Commission through the centralized procedure based on the opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, or CHMP of the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, and are valid throughout the entire territory of the EU. The centralized procedure is mandatory for certain types of medicinal products, such as (i) medicinal products derived from biotechnological processes, (ii) designated orphan medicinal products, (iii) advanced therapy medicinal products, or ATMPs (such as gene therapy, somatic cell therapy and tissue engineered products) and (iv) medicinal products containing a new active substance indicated for the treatment of certain diseases, such as AIDS/HIV, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, auto-immune and viral diseases and other immune dysfunctions. The centralized procedure is optional for products containing a new active substance not yet authorized in the EEA, or for products that constitute a significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation or which are in the interest of public health in the EU; and
“National MAs” are issued by the competent authorities of the EU member states, only cover their respective territory, and are available for products not falling within the mandatory scope of the centralized procedure. Where a product has already been authorized for marketing in an EU member states, this national MA can be recognized in another member state through the mutual recognition procedure. If the product has not received a national MA in any member state at the time of application, it can be approved simultaneously in various member state through the decentralized procedure. Under the decentralized procedure an identical dossier is submitted to the competent authorities of each of the member states in which the MA is sought, one of which is selected by the applicant as the reference member state.
Under the centralized procedure the maximum timeframe for the evaluation of an MAA by the EMA is 210 days, excluding clock stops.
In exceptional cases, the CHMP might perform an accelerated review of a MAA in no more than 150 days (not including clock stops). Innovative products that target an unmet medical need and are expected to be of major public health interest may be eligible for a number of expedited development and review programs, such as the PRIority MEdicines, or PRIME, scheme, which provides incentives similar to the breakthrough therapy designation in the U.S. In March 2016, the EMA launched an initiative, the PRIME scheme, a voluntary scheme aimed at enhancing the EMA’s support for the development of medicines that target unmet medical needs. It is based on increased interaction and early dialogue with companies developing promising medicines, to optimize their product development plans and speed up their evaluation to help them reach patients earlier. Product developers that benefit from PRIME designation can expect to be eligible for accelerated assessment but this is not guaranteed. Many benefits accrue to sponsors of product candidates with PRIME designation, including but not limited to, early and proactive regulatory dialogue with the EMA, frequent discussions on clinical trial designs and other development program elements, and accelerated MAA assessment once a dossier has been submitted. Importantly, a dedicated contact and rapporteur from the CHMP is appointed early in the PRIME scheme facilitating increased understanding of the product at EMA’s committee level. An initial meeting initiates these relationships and includes a team of multidisciplinary experts at the EMA to provide guidance on the overall development and regulatory strategies.
Moreover, in the EU, a “conditional” MA may be granted in cases where all the required safety and efficacy data are not yet available. The conditional MA is subject to conditions to be fulfilled for generating the missing data or ensuring increased safety measures. It is valid for one year and has to be renewed annually until fulfillment of all the conditions. Once the pending studies are provided, it can become a “standard” MA. However, if the conditions are not fulfilled within the timeframe set by the EMA, the MA ceases to be renewed. Furthermore, MA may also be granted “under exceptional circumstances” when the applicant can show that it is unable to provide comprehensive data on the efficacy and safety under normal conditions of use even after the product has been authorized and subject to specific procedures being introduced. This may arise in particular when the intended indications are very rare and, in the present state of scientific knowledge, it is not possible to provide comprehensive information data on the efficacy and safety under normal conditions of use even after the product has been authorized and subject to specific procedures being introduced. This may arise in particular when the intended indications are very rare and, in the present state of scientific knowledge, it is not possible to provide comprehensive information, or when generating data may be contrary to generally accepted ethical principles. This MA is close to the conditional MA as it is reserved to medicinal products to be approved for severe diseases or unmet medical needs and the applicant does not hold the complete data set legally required for the grant of a MA. However, unlike the conditional MA, the applicant does not have to provide the missing data and will never have to. Although the MA “under exceptional circumstances” is granted definitively, the risk-benefit balance of the medicinal product is reviewed annually and the MA is withdrawn in case the risk-benefit ratio is no longer favorable.
Under the above described procedures, before granting the MA, the EMA or the competent authorities of the EU member states make an assessment of the risk-benefit balance of the product on the basis of scientific criteria concerning its quality, safety and efficacy. MAs have an initial duration of five years. After these five years, the authorization may be renewed on the basis of a reevaluation of the risk-benefit balance.
Data and Marketing Exclusivity
In the EU, new products authorized for marketing, or reference products, generally receive eight years of data exclusivity and an additional two years of market exclusivity upon MA. If granted, the data exclusivity period prevents generic or biosimilar applicants from relying on the preclinical and clinical trial data contained in the dossier of the reference product when applying for a generic or biosimilar MA in the EU during a period of eight years from the date on which the reference product was first authorized in the EU. The market exclusivity period prevents a successful generic or biosimilar applicant from commercializing its product in the EU until 10 years have elapsed from the initial MA of the reference product in the EU. The overall 10-year market exclusivity period can be extended to a maximum of eleven years if, during the first eight years of those 10 years, the MA holder obtains an authorization for one or more new therapeutic indications which, during the scientific evaluation prior to their authorization, are held to bring a significant clinical benefit in comparison with existing therapies. However, there is no guarantee that a product will be considered by the EU’s regulatory authorities to be a new chemical or biological entity, and products may not qualify for data exclusivity.
Pediatric Development
In the EEA, MAAs for new medicinal products have to include the results of studies conducted in the pediatric population, in compliance with a pediatric investigation plan, or PIP, agreed with the EMA’s Pediatric Committee, or PDCO. The PIP sets out the timing and measures proposed to generate data to support a pediatric indication of the drug for which MA is being sought. The PDCO can grant a deferral of the obligation to implement some or all of the measures of the PIP until there are sufficient data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the product in adults. Further, the obligation to provide pediatric clinical trial data can be waived by the PDCO when these data are not needed or appropriate because the product is likely to be ineffective or unsafe in children, the disease or condition for which the product is intended occurs only in adult populations, or when the product does not represent a significant therapeutic benefit over existing treatments for pediatric patients. Once the MA is obtained in all EU member states and study results are included in the product information, even when negative, the product is eligible for six months’ supplementary protection certificate extension (if any is in effect at the time of approval) or, in the case of orphan pharmaceutical products, a two year extension of the orphan market exclusivity is granted.
Orphan Medicinal Products
The criteria for designating an “orphan medicinal product” in the EU are similar in principle to those in the United States. A medicinal product can be designated as an orphan if its sponsor can establish that: (1) the product is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening or chronically debilitating condition; (2) either (a) such condition affects not more than five in ten thousand persons in the EU when the application is made, or (b) the product, without the benefits derived from the orphan status, would not generate sufficient return to justify the necessary investment; and (3) there exists no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment of the condition in question that has been authorized for marketing in the EU or, if such method exists, the drug will be of significant benefit to those affected by that condition.
In the EU, an application for designation as an orphan product can be made any time prior to the filing of a MAA. An EU orphan designation entitles a party to incentives such as reduction of fees or fee waivers, protocol assistance, and access to the centralized procedure. Upon grant of a MA, orphan medicinal products are entitled to a ten-year period of market exclusivity for the approved indication. During this market exclusivity period, competent authorities cannot accept another MAA, or grant a MA, or accept an application to extend a MA for a similar medicinal product for the same indication. The period of market exclusivity is extended by two years for orphan medicines that have also complied with an agreed PIP. No extension to any supplementary protection certificate can be granted on the basis of pediatric studies for orphan indications. Orphan designation does not convey any advantage in, or shorten the duration of, the regulatory review and approval process.
The orphan exclusivity period may, however, be reduced to six years if, at the end of the fifth year, it is established that the product no longer meets the criteria for orphan designation, for example because the product is sufficiently profitable not to justify market exclusivity, or where the prevalence of the condition has increased above the threshold. Additionally, MA may be granted to a similar product for the same indication at any time if (i) the applicant consents to a second orphan medicinal product application, (ii) the applicant cannot supply sufficient quantities of the product, or (iii) the second applicant can establish that its product, although similar, is safer, more effective or otherwise clinically superior.
The aforementioned EU rules are generally applicable in the European Economic Area, or EEA, which consists of the 27 EU member states plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
Failure to comply with EU and member state laws that apply to the conduct of clinical trials, manufacturing approval, MA of medicinal products and marketing of such products, both before and after grant of the MA, manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, statutory health insurance, bribery and anti-corruption or with other applicable regulatory requirements may result in administrative, civil or criminal penalties. These penalties could include delays or refusal to authorize the conduct of clinical trials, or to grant MA, product withdrawals and recalls, product seizures, suspension, withdrawal or variation of the MA, total or partial suspension of production, distribution, manufacturing or clinical trials, operating restrictions, injunctions, suspension of licenses, fines and criminal penalties.
Regulation of Companion Diagnostics
In the EU, in vitro diagnostic medical devices, or IVD MDs, were regulated by the EU Directive onin vitro diagnostic medical devices (Directive No. 98/79/EC, as amended), or IVDD, which regulated the placing on the market, the CE marking, the essential requirements, the conformity assessment procedures, the registration obligations for manufacturers and devices as well as the vigilance procedure. IVD MDs had to comply with the requirements provided for in the IVDD, and with further requirements implemented at national level (as the case may be).
The regulation of companion diagnostics is subject to further requirements since Regulation (EU) No 2017/746, or IVDR, became applicable on May 26, 2022 but there is a tiered system extending the grace period for many devices (depending on their risk classification) before they have to be fully compliant with the Regulation. The IVDR introduced a new classification system for companion diagnostics which are now specifically defined as diagnostic tests that support the safe and effective use of a specific medicinal product, by identifying patients that are suitable or unsuitable for treatment. Companion diagnostics will have to undergo a conformity assessment by a notified body. Before it can issue an EU certificate, the notified body must seek a scientific opinion from the EMA on the suitability of the companion diagnostic to the medicinal product concerned if the medicinal product falls exclusively within the scope of the centralized procedure for the authorization of medicines, or the medicinal product is already authorized through the centralized procedure, or a MAA for the medicinal product has been submitted through the centralized procedure. For other substances, the notified body can seek the opinion from a national competent authorities or the EMA.
The aforementioned EU rules are generally applicable in the EEA.
Healthcare Reform
In the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations as we begin to directly commercialize our products. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or ACA, was signed into law which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers in the United States and significantly affected the pharmaceutical industry. The ACA contains a number of provisions, including those governing enrollment in federal healthcare programs, reimbursement adjustments and fraud and abuse changes. Additionally, the ACA increases the minimum level of Medicaid rebates payable by manufacturers of brand name drugs from 15.1% to 23.1%; requires collection of rebates for drugs paid by Medicaid managed care organizations; requires manufacturers to participate in a coverage gap discount program, under which they must agree to offer 70 percent point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; imposes a non-deductible annual fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers or importers who sell “branded prescription drugs” to specified federal government programs, implemented a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted, or injected, expands of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs, creates a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research and establishes a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at CMS to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.
Since its enactment, there have been judicial, executive and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA. On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the ACA brought by several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the ACA. Prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, President Biden issued an executive order initiating a special enrollment period from February 15, 2021 through August 15, 2021 for purposes of obtaining health insurance coverage through the ACA marketplace. The executive order also instructed certain governmental agencies to review and reconsider their existing policies and rules that limit access to healthcare.
Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted, including aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers, which will remain in effect through 2032, with the exception of a temporary suspension from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, unless additional Congressional action is taken. In addition, on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law, which eliminates the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap, beginning January 1, 2024. The rebate was previously capped at 100% of a drug’s average manufacturer price.
Moreover, there has recently been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted legislation designed, among other things, to bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or IRA, was signed into law. Among other things, the IRA requires manufacturers of certain drugs to engage in price negotiations with Medicare (beginning in 2026), imposes rebates under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation (first due in 2023), and replaces the Part D coverage gap discount program with a new discounting program (beginning in 2025). The IRA permits the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to implement many of these provisions through guidance, as opposed to regulation, for the initial years. On August 29, 2023, HHS announced the list of the first ten drugs that will be subject to price negotiations, although the drug price negotiation program is currently subject to legal challenges. For that and other reasons, it is currently unclear how the IRA will be effectuated. Individual states in the United States have also become increasingly active in implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures and, in some cases, mechanisms to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing.
We expect that additional state and federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare product candidates and services, which could result in reduced demand for our product candidates once approved or additional pricing pressures.
In the EU, similar developments may affect our ability to profitably commercialize our products, if approved. On December 13, 2021, Regulation No 2021/2282 on Health Technology Assessment, or HTA, amending Directive 2011/24/EU, was adopted. While the Regulation entered into force in January 2022, it will only begin to apply from January 2025 onwards, with preparatory and implementation-related steps to take place in the interim. Once applicable, it will have a phased implementation depending on the concerned products. The Regulation intends to boost cooperation among EU member states in assessing health technologies, including new medicinal products as well as certain high-risk medical devices, and provide the basis for cooperation at the EU level for joint clinical assessments in these areas. It will permit EU member states to use common HTA tools, methodologies, and procedures across the EU, working together in four main areas, including joint clinical assessment of the innovative health technologies with the highest potential impact for patients, joint scientific consultations whereby developers can seek advice from HTA authorities, identification of emerging health technologies to identify promising technologies early, and continuing voluntary cooperation in other areas. Individual EU member states will continue to be responsible for assessing non-clinical (e.g., economic, social, ethical) aspects of health technology, and making decisions on pricing and reimbursement.
Other Healthcare Laws
Pharmaceutical companies are subject to additional healthcare regulation and enforcement by the federal government and by authorities in the states and foreign jurisdictions in which they conduct their business. Such laws include, without limitation, state and federal anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, false claims, and transparency laws and regulations with respect to drug pricing and payments and other transfers of value to physicians and other healthcare providers, as well as similar foreign laws in the jurisdictions outside the United States. If their operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply, they may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, additional reporting obligations and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, the curtailment or restructuring of operations, exclusion from participation in governmental healthcare programs and imprisonment.
Data Privacy and Security Laws
Pharmaceutical companies may be subject to numerous federal, state, and foreign laws, regulations and standards which govern the collection, use, disclosure and protection of health-related and other personal information, and could apply now or in the future to our operations or the operations of our partners. In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including data breach notification laws, health information privacy and security laws and consumer protection laws and regulations govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information. In addition, certain foreign laws govern the privacy and security of personal data, including health-related data. Privacy and security laws, regulations, and other obligations are constantly evolving, may conflict with each other to complicate compliance efforts, and can result in investigations, proceedings, or actions that lead to significant civil and/or criminal penalties and restrictions on data processing.
Coverage and Reimbursement
Sales of any product depend, in part, on the extent to which such product will be covered by third-party payors, such as federal, state and foreign government healthcare programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations, and the level of reimbursement for such product by third-party payors. Decisions regarding the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided are made on a plan-by-plan basis. These third-party payors are increasingly reducing reimbursements for medical products, drugs and services. In addition, the U.S. government, state legislatures and foreign governments have continued implementing cost-containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on coverage and reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products. Adoption of price controls and cost-containment measures, and adoption of more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit sales of any product. Decreases in third-party reimbursement for any product or a decision by a third-party payor not to cover a product could reduce physician usage and patient demand for the product and also have a material adverse effect on sales.
In addition, in many countries, the proposed pricing for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. The requirements governing drug pricing and reimbursement vary widely from country to country. In the EU, governments influence the price of products through their pricing and reimbursement rules and control of national healthcare systems that fund a large part of the cost of those products to consumers. Member states are free to restrict the range of pharmaceutical products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement, and to control the prices and reimbursement levels of pharmaceutical products for human use. Some jurisdictions operate positive and negative list systems under which products may only be marketed once a reimbursement price has been agreed to by the government. Member states may approve a specific price or level of reimbursement for the pharmaceutical product, or alternatively adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company responsible for placing the pharmaceutical product on the market, including volume-based arrangements, caps and reference pricing mechanisms. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval, some of these countries may require the completion of clinical trials that compare the cost effectiveness of a particular product to currently available therapies. Other member states allow companies to fix their own prices for medicines, but monitor and control company profits. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for pharmaceutical products will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our products. The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription products, has become very intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new products. In addition, in some countries, cross border imports from low-priced markets exert a commercial pressure on pricing within a country.
We may face competition for our product candidates from lower-priced products in foreign countries that have placed price controls on pharmaceutical products. In addition, there may be importation of foreign products that compete with our own products, which could negatively impact our profitability. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that our products will be considered medically reasonable and necessary for a specific indication, that our products will be considered cost-effective by third-party payors, that an adequate level of reimbursement will be established even if coverage is available or that the third-party payors’ reimbursement policies will not adversely affect our ability to sell our products profitably.
Human Capital
At IDEAYA, we view our employees as among our most valuable assets. Our ability to hire and retain highly skilled professionals remains an important element to our success in discovering and developing targeted therapeutics. Our employees are at the heart of our values of passionate commitment, fearless innovation, courageous integrity, respectful teamwork, objective decision-making and empowered accountability. We offer our employees a challenging work environment, ongoing skills development, attractive career advancement, and a culture that rewards entrepreneurial initiative and exceptional execution.
In 2020, we established an internal human resources departments part of our commitment to our human resources programs and our employee work experience. We believe our employees and our company benefit from and excel in a diverse, inclusive and safe work environment. Our employees come from numerous countries and bring diversity to our workplace across many critical categories. We believe the variety of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives of our employees bring to their work every day makes IDEAYA stronger and more successful. As of December 31, 2023, females make up 46% of our workforce, 13% of our executive team, and 37.5% of our board of directors.
As of December 31, 2023, we had a total of 124 employees. Of these employees, 98 were primarily engaged in research and development activities and 26 were primarily engaged in general and administrative activities. Of our total employees, 98 hold biology, chemistry or other relevant scientific degrees, including 55 Ph.D.’s. None of our employees are represented by labor unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.
Corporate Information
We were founded in June 2015 as a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 350, South San Francisco, California 94080, and our telephone number is (650) 443-6209. Our website address is www.ideayabio.com.
We file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. At our corporate website, www.ideayabio.com, we make available free of charge a variety of information for investors, including copies of these reports, and any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this report and is not incorporated by reference herein. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only. We also use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
We use IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc.®, the IDEAYA logo, and other marks as trademarks in the United States and other countries. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains references to our trademarks and service marks and to those belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate in any way that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other entities’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by any other entity.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.