On February 14, 2014 AVEO Oncology and Astellas Pharma said the companies will end their worldwide collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of investigational agent tivozanib. Astellas has exercised its right to terminate the agreement signed in 2011 for strategic reasons, based on the clinical status of the three indications studied (Press release AVEO, FEB 14, 2014, View Source [SID:1234500080]). Additionally, the companies agreed to discontinue the ongoing Phase II BATON (Biomarker Assessment of Tivozanib in ONcology) study in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The termination of the collaboration will be effective August 11, 2014 at which time tivozanib rights will be returned to AVEO. In accordance with the collaboration and license agreement, committed development expenses will be shared equally.