IDEAYA Announces Development Candidate Nomination of a Potential First-in-Class Pol Theta Helicase Inhibitor in Collaboration with GSK

On June 28, 2022 IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDYA), a synthetic lethality focused precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics, reported that selection of a potential first-in-class Pol Theta Helicase development candidate (DC) (Press release, Ideaya Biosciences, JUN 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234616348]).

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The Pol Theta Helicase DC is a potential first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the helicase domain of DNA Polymerase Theta. IDEAYA is collaborating with GSK on IND-enabling studies to support the evaluation of the Pol Theta Helicase DC in combination with niraparib, GSK’s PARP inhibitor, for patients having tumors with BRCA or other homologous recombination (HR) mutations or homologous recombination deficiency (HRD).

"We are excited about potential clinical development opportunities for this potential first-in-class Pol Theta Helicase inhibitor. Pol Theta promotes DNA repair by Microhomology-Mediated End-Joining (MMEJ), an error-prone mutagenic DNA repair pathway, which is active in BRCA mutant and other HRD cancer cells. PARP1 is also involved in MMEJ DNA repair, supporting a hypothesis for synergistic combination of our Pol Theta Helicase DC with niraparib," said Michael White, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of IDEAYA Biosciences.

"The development candidate has demonstrated robust in vivo efficacy in combination with niraparib, with significant tumor regressions and durable responses in multiple cancer models. We believe the Pol Theta helicase and niraparib combination has the opportunity to deliver meaningful patient benefit," said Benjamin Schwartz, Ph.D., Vice President, Head of Oncology Synthetic Lethality Research Unit at GSK.

IDEAYA and GSK are targeting an IND submission for the Pol Theta Helicase DC, subject to satisfactory completion of ongoing preclinical and IND-enabling studies, to enable first-in-human studies in the first half of 2023.

IDEAYA and GSK are collaborating on the ongoing IND-enabling studies, and GSK will lead clinical development for the Pol Theta program. GSK holds a global, exclusive license to develop and commercialize the Pol Theta Helicase DC and is responsible for all research and development costs for the program, including those incurred by IDEAYA. IDEAYA is eligible to receive future development and regulatory milestones of up to $485 million aggregate, inclusive of preclinical and clinical milestones of up to $10 million aggregate for advancing this asset through IND effectiveness.

Upon potential commercialization, IDEAYA will be eligible to receive up to $475 million of commercial milestones and tiered royalties on global net sales by GSK, its affiliates and their sublicensees ranging from high single digit to sub-teen double digit percentages, subject to certain customary reductions.