Ideaya secures option on Biocytogen bispecific ADC in $400M deal

Ideaya Biosciences is making a significant financial commitment by investing $400 million in the potential of a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to enhance the efficacy of its DNA damage repair treatments. This California-based biotech company has secured an option on a preclinical program developed by Biocytogen, a Chinese biotech firm that recently made headlines with a deal involving Sotio.

Biocytogen has engineered a B7H3xPTK7 bispecific ADC designed to deliver a topoisomerase I inhibitor directly to tumor cells. Ideaya has already paid an upfront fee to obtain an option on a global license for this ADC. If Ideaya decides to exercise the $6.5 million option, it will be responsible for up to $400 million in milestone payments, with $100 million linked to key development and regulatory achievements.

One of Ideaya’s key assets, the PARG inhibitor IDE161, has been identified as a promising candidate to combine with the ADC. According to Ideaya CEO Yujiro Hata, there are opportunities for IDE161 as a standalone treatment, particularly for endometrial and colorectal cancers. However, greater therapeutic potential lies in combination therapies. In March, Ideaya partnered with Merck & Co. to test IDE161 in conjunction with Keytruda. Hata noted ongoing discussions about possible collaborations at a recent Goldman Sachs event.

The ADC, which includes a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, is expected to be a priority for Ideaya as it explores synergies with IDE161. Preclinical data has shown that combining topotecan, a topo I inhibitor, with IDE161 results in more significant responses in lung cancer models than either agent alone. This dual inhibition creates DNA-protein crosslinks that the cancer cells cannot repair.

By securing an option on Biocytogen’s ADC, Ideaya positions itself to further investigate the potential interactions between these two therapeutic strategies. The ADC is also versatile enough to be developed as a standalone treatment or in combination with other drugs in Ideaya’s pipeline.

The bispecific nature of Biocytogen’s ADC sets it apart from other ADCs targeting similar antigens. For instance, Merck has also invested heavily in Daiichi Sankyo’s B7H3-targeted ADC. Meanwhile, MacroGenics is working on a similar ADC, although their progress has been hindered by reports of multiple fatalities. Genmab also acquired a PTK7-targeted ADC through its $1.8 billion acquisition of ProfoundBio.

Ideaya’s investment in this bispecific ADC reflects its broader strategy to find innovative combinations that can enhance the efficacy of its existing treatments and potentially target a wider range of cancers. By leveraging Biocytogen’s technology, Ideaya aims to push the boundaries of what is possible in cancer therapy, particularly in the realm of DNA damage repair.

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