Darovasertib is a selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor developed for patients with uveal melanoma (UM), a rare type of eye cancer that has a high unmet medical need.
Though it is rare, UM is aggressive and carries significantly more risk than other cancers because of its potential to metastasise to other parts of the body, particularly the liver.
Current treatment options include radiation therapy, surgical removal of the tumour or removal of the eye (enucleation) in severe cases.
Darovasertib has received US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Breakthrough Therapy Designation as neoadjuvant therapy in enucleation-recommended primary UM and Fast Track designation for darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in adult patients with metastatic UM.
IDEAYA will receive an upfront payment of $210m and up to $320m in regulatory and commercial milestones, plus double-digit royalties on net sales.
The two companies will collaborate on the development of darovasertib and share the associated costs.
IDEAYA will retain its rights for darovasertib in the United States. Under the agreement, Servier will obtain the regulatory and commercial rights for darovasertib in all territories outside the United States.
“Our collaboration with IDEAYA is a significant step to make darovasertib the potential first-in-class treatment available to uveal melanoma patients worldwide,” said Arnaud Lallouette, Executive Vice-President Global Medical & Patient Affairs at Servier.
“Today, there are limited treatment options and there is an urgent need to improve patient outcomes. We look forward to leveraging our global oncology network, and expertise in developing oncology targeted therapies, to make this groundbreaking treatment accessible to patients across the globe.”
Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences, said: “Darovasertib addresses a significant unmet need and we are thrilled to partner with Servier to globally develop it as a potential standard-of-care for uveal melanoma patients worldwide."
"This partnership enables IDEAYA and Servier to accelerate the global development for darovasertib across three Phase III registrational trials, aiming to improve patient outcomes in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic settings.”
Daniel Simon, Chief Business Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences, also added: “We believe Servier’s global footprint and proven track record in bringing novel therapies to patients in Europe and other key territories outside of the US will ensure that this potentially life-changing treatment reaches as many patients as possible.”