Takeda and Ascentage Pharma Ink Option Agreement For Olverembatinib

Takeda has signed an option agreement with Ascentage Pharma to enter into an exclusive license agreement for olverembatinib, an oral, potentially best-in-class, third-generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that is currently being developed for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and other hematologic cancers. The option would grant Takeda worldwide rights to develop and market olverembatinib in all areas other than mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Russia.

Despite the impact of TKIs on CML treatment, there is still a major unmet need for individuals whose illness is resistant or refractory to these medications, or who develop difficult-to-treat mutations as a result of these treatments.

“Takeda has a long history of driving important treatment advances for patients, particularly those with hematological cancers facing treatment gaps,” said Teresa Bitetti, president of the Global Oncology Business Unit at Takeda. “We are highly encouraged by the promising results olverembatinib has shown in the clinic to date and excited to have the opportunity to potentially further develop and deliver it to patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and other hematological cancers. This agreement aligns with our goal to support the advancement of both internal and external innovation to best serve patients.”

As part of the agreement, the pharmaceutical firm will remain exclusively responsible for all clinical development of olverembatinib prior to the prospective execution of the option to license. Olverembatinib is currently approved and marketed in China to treat adult patients with TKI-resistant chronic-phase CML (CP-CML) or accelerated-phase CML (AP-CML) with the T315I mutation, as well as adult patients with CP-CML that is resistant to and/or intolerant of first- and second-generation TKIs.