On November 17, 2016 Triphase Accelerator Corporation, a private drug development company dedicated to advancing novel compounds through Phase 2 proof-of-concept, reported that Celgene Corporation, through an affiliate, has acquired the company’s assets related to its proteasome inhibitor, marizomib (MRZ), which is in development for glioblastoma and relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (Press release, Celgene, NOV 17, 2016, View Source [SID1234527214]).
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Under the terms of the agreement, Celgene will make an upfront payment plus additional regulatory, approval and sales milestone payments. Specific financial terms were not disclosed. "This acquisition validates the potential of marizomib based on early clinical results. Our vision is to become a leading early stage oncology drug development company, and this first opt-in by Celgene brings us a step closer to achieving that goal," said Mohit Trikha, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, Triphase Accelerator Corporation. "Just as importantly, this transaction affords us the opportunity to accelerate our efforts on advancing other assets in our pipeline."
"Consistent with our deep commitment and passion for the patients, glioblastoma is an area of significant unmet medical need, and Celgene is committed to helping these patients. We are pleased with Triphase Accelerator’s rapid and high quality work to date, and we value the exceptional collaboration we have with them to advance marizomib," said Celgene’s President of Hematology Oncology, Michael Pehl.
Going forward Celgene has full responsibility for the development of marizomib and will pay Triphase to complete the ongoing clinical studies with marizomib, including a Phase 1 study in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, a Phase 2 study in recurrent glioma and a Phase 1 study in newly diagnosed glioma.
About Marizomib
Marizomib is a novel, brain-penetrant proteasome inhibitor, which inhibits all three proteasome subunits.
Triphase Accelerator is developing marizomib in both intravenous (IV) and oral formulations as a proteasome inhibitor for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The IV formulation has been evaluated in more than 300 patients in multiple clinical studies in patients with solid and hematologic malignancies, either as a single agent or in combination with dexamethasone, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, or an immunomodulatory drug.
The company is currently evaluating marizomib in a proof-of-concept clinical study in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with Grade IV malignant glioma (glioblastoma), and has received Orphan Drug designation for marizomib in glioblastoma in the United States from the FDA. In addition, Triphase Accelerator is currently developing marizomib in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, and has received Orphan Drug designation for marizomib in multiple myeloma in the United States and the European Union. Triphase Accelerator is also evaluating an oral formulation in preclinical studies.
Marizomib has not been approved for any use in any country.