Press Release
Press Release
Exelixis and StemSynergy Enter into Exclusive Licensing Agreement for the Discovery and Development of Novel Anticancer Therapies
̶ Companies will partner on preclinical activities and early-stage studies for program targeting Wnt signaling pathway –
̶ StemSynergy’s novel approach has the potential to address a major pathway deregulated in many cancers –
Under the terms of the agreement,
“Supported by revenues from its commercial products and collaborations,
The CK1α Activator Program is representative of StemSynergy’s focus on treating cancer by targeting developmental processes that are reactivated in cancer cells. The Wnt signaling pathway is a prominent example of this process: the pathway plays an important role in embryonic development, but can support oncogenic processes when deregulated in adult tissues. Activation of β-catenin, a key downstream component of the pathway, is increased in multiple tumors, including a majority of colorectal cancers, where mutations in the APC gene that result in beta-catenin stabilization are prevalent. CK1α Activator Program compounds have been shown to induce degradation of β-catenin and pygopus, another member of the pathway, in preclinical CRC models, and to inhibit the growth of tumors. Importantly, their GI-sparing qualities may help overcome limitations of other approaches targeting the Wnt pathway.
“StemSynergy is developing compounds that can specifically address
developmental pathways reactivated in cancer cells to potentially
deliver greater benefit to patients,” said
About StemSynergy
StemSynergy Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel small-molecule drugs that target developmental pathways fundamental to cancer. Our mission is to optimize efficacy against developmental pathways that drive cancer cells, such as the Wnt, Sonic Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathways. For more information, visit www.stemsynergy.com.
About
Founded in 1994,
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including,
without limitation, statements related to: Exelixis’ strategy to build
an innovative pipeline beyond cabozantinib and cobimetinib; Exelixis’
plans to conduct preclinical and clinical studies with compounds from
StemSynergy’s CK1α Activator Program; Exelixis’ immediate and potential
future financial obligations under the collaboration and license
agreement with StemSynergy; Exelixis’ responsibility for the
commercialization of products that arise from the collaboration and
license agreement with StemSynergy; Exelixis’ growth trajectory and
focus on augmenting its pipeline both through targeted business
development and internal drug discovery activities; the clinical and
therapeutic potential of the StemSyngery CK1α Activator Program and
ability to deliver greater benefit to patients; Exelixis’ commitment to
reinvesting in its business to maximize the potential of its pipeline;
and Exelixis’ mission to deliver the next generation
of Exelixis medicines and help patients recover stronger and live
longer. Words such as “strategy,” “will,” “focused,” “look forward,”
“potential,” “may,” “commitment,” “intend,” or other similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does
not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. In
addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or
other characterizations of future events or circumstances are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based
upon Exelixis’ current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations,
estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a
result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without
limitation: Exelixis’ ability and the ability of its collaborators to
conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials of the products in its
pipeline sufficient to achieve a positive completion; risks related to
the potential failure of the products in Exelixis’ pipeline to
demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical testing; risks and
uncertainties related to regulatory review and approval processes and
Exelixis’ compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements;
the level of costs associated with Exelixis’ commercialization, research
and development and other activities; competition in the area of
business development activities and the inherent uncertainty of the drug
discovery process; Exelixis’ dependence on its relationships with its
cabozantinib collaboration partners, including, the level of their
investment in the resources necessary to successfully commercialize
cabozantinib in the territories where it is approved; Exelixis’
dependence on its relationship with Genentech/Roche with respect to
cobimetinib and Exelixis’ ability to maintain its rights under the
collaboration; market acceptance of CABOMETYX, COMETRIQ, and COTELLIC
and the availability of coverage and reimbursement for these products;
Exelixis’ dependence on third-party vendors for the development,
manufacture and supply of its products; Exelixis’ ability to protect the
company’s intellectual property rights; market competition; changes in
economic and business conditions, and other factors discussed under the
caption “Risk Factors” in Exelixis’ quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (
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Source:
Investors Contact:
Exelixis, Inc.
Susan
Hubbard, 650-837-8194
EVP, Public Affairs and Investor
Relations
shubbard@exelixis.com
or
Media
Contact:
For Exelixis, Inc.
Hal Mackins,
415-994-0040
hal@torchcommunications.com