G1 Therapeutics and Deimos Biosciences Announce Global License Deal for Lerociclib for Radioprotection

G1 Therapeutics, Inc., a commercial-stage oncology company, and Deimos Biosciences, part of Jupiter Bioventures, have announced a significant global licensing agreement for lerociclib, excluding the Asia-Pacific region. Lerociclib, a strong and selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), is known to enhance the survival of animals exposed to radiation.

Jupiter Bioventures is renowned for de-risking early-stage projects by collaborating with top biologists and physicians. Nathaniel David, co-founder and Managing Director of Jupiter Bioventures, emphasized the immense potential of Deimos Biosciences, noting the substantial benefits that could arise from this collaboration.

Under the terms of the agreement, Deimos Biosciences gains exclusive rights for the clinical development, regulatory submissions, and commercialization of lerociclib for radioprotection in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other global markets, excluding the Asia-Pacific region. In the Asia-Pacific, G1 has already licensed the rights to Genor Biopharma. Additionally, Pepper Bio has globally licensed lerociclib (excluding Asia-Pacific) for all other indications apart from radioprotective uses.

The agreement stipulates that G1 Therapeutics will receive shares of Deimos Biosciences’ common stock, representing 10% of its outstanding equity capitalization on a fully diluted basis. G1 will also earn a 20% royalty on the aggregate annual net sales of lerociclib.

Jack Bailey, CEO of G1 Therapeutics, expressed excitement about the partnership with Deimos Biosciences, highlighting the critical need for radioprotective solutions and the promise lerociclib holds based on previous work by G1 Therapeutics.

Lerociclib stands out as a differentiated oral CDK4/6 inhibitor, notable for its increased selectivity, potency, and shorter half-life. Preliminary clinical data in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer have demonstrated the drug’s potential, showing improved tolerability and reduced neutropenia while maintaining robust clinical activity compared to other marketed CDK4/6 inhibitors.

In the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, lerociclib has been licensed to Genor Biopharma and is under review by the National Medical Products Administration in China for first- and second-line hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Additionally, Pepper Bio holds the global license (excluding the Asia-Pacific region) for all indications except specific radioprotective uses.

Jupiter Bioventures specializes in creating biotech companies from the ground up, leveraging deep experience and capital access to identify transformative ideas from global biotech innovators. They aim to build companies with ambitious goals, propelling advancements in the biotech field.

G1 Therapeutics is dedicated to developing next-generation therapies to improve the lives of cancer patients. Known for its first commercial product, COSELA® (trilaciclib), the company is also exploring therapies in combination with cytotoxic treatments and immunotherapy for conditions with high unmet needs, such as triple-negative breast cancer and extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. G1 Therapeutics’ mission is to deliver innovative therapeutic advances for people living with cancer.