Telazorlimab

This alliance brings together drug innovation capabilities of Ichnos and Glenmark to develop cutting-edge therapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. IGI harnesses the collective expertise of over 150 scientists, operating through its three centers of innovation across the USA, Switzerland and India. There are currently three oncology molecules in clinical trials, with two having received orphan drug designation from the U.S. FDA. The synergies derived from this alliance will substantially reduce Glenmark's investment in innovative research. NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ichnos Sciences Inc. (Ichnos), a global, fully integrated, clinical-stage biotech company and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark), a leading, research-driven, global pharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of their alliance – Ichnos Glenmark Innovation – to accelerate new drug discovery in cancer treatment. This alliance combines Ichnos' research and development proficiencies in novel biologics with those of Glenmark in new small molecules, to continue developing cutting-edge therapy solutions that treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The newly formed IGI features a robust pipeline of three innovative oncology molecules targeting multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, and solid tumors currently undergoing clinical trials. Two of these molecules have received orphan drug designation from the U.S. FDA. Additionally, IGI has two autoimmune disease assets that have been out licensed to leading companies. The alliance will also further explore the in-licensing of late-stage clinical assets to augment its novel oncology drug pipeline. Harnessing the combined proficiency of over 150 scientists, IGI will leverage the capabilities of its three global centers of innovation. These comprise the Ichnos' headquarters in New York City, NY, USA which is focused on clinical development; the biologics research center in Lausanne, Switzerland; and Glenmark's small molecule research center at Mahape in Mumbai, India. "We are proud to announce the Ichnos Glenmark Innovation alliance, which brings together the legacy of Glenmark and passion of Ichnos to accelerate the search for curing cancer. Innovation is an integral part of our organization's fabric and through IGI, we are confident of getting closer to our quest to develop a novel cancer drug for the world. Additionally, this will also enhance shareholder value by optimizing the cost of development." remarked Glenn Saldanha, Chairman and Managing Director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Cyril Konto, President and CEO, Ichnos Glenmark Innovation, said, "Ichnos Glenmark Innovation is a collaborative venture backed by a strong, collective pipeline of novel multispecifics and small molecules. Supported by an experienced leadership and comprising a team that ardently believes in challenging the frontiers of science, IGI seeks to accelerate drug development by combining technologies, expertise, and forces while leveraging Glenmark's footprint in India. We look forward to joining hands with other like-minded entities, including biotech companies and academia." IGI - Brand Identity: IGI's brand identity succinctly expresses its belief. The letters IGI combine the graphic of a compass to suggest how collaboration guides IGI towards innovation. The brand line 'Collaboration propels innovation' completes the message. This new alliance promises myriad new possibilities for Glenmark, Ichnos and the world at large. IGI – Asset Pipeline: Oncology Pipeline Has an exciting platform of novel biologics and small molecules targeting the spectrum of hematological cancers and solid tumors. Autoimmune Disease Pipeline The autoimmune disease assets were out licensed to enable greater focus on oncology. Available for Licensing Logo: SOURCE Ichnos Sciences Inc.

Astria Therapeutics is years behind the front-runners in the eczema race. Ichnos Sciences has finally found a buyer for its OX40 eczema program. Astria Therapeutics has taken the other side of the deal, paying $15 million upfront to secure a spot at the back of a race led by Amgen and Sanofi. New Jersey-based Ichnos has been talking about partnering its OX40 work for almost as long as it has existed, having made the program available (PDF) for out-licensing the year after it spun out of Glenmark in 2019. Over the years it has sought a partner, Ichnos has seen Sanofi acquire an OX40 candidate in its $1.1 billion takeover of Kymab and Amgen pay Kyowa Kirin $400 million upfront to enter the space.  Now, Ichnos has landed a deal—but failed to command the sort of prices paid by those Big Pharmas. The structure of the agreement, which is worth $15 million upfront, $20 million in clinical milestones and $285 million in regulatory and commercial paydays, reflects Astria’s preferred asset.  While Ichnos wrapped up a phase 2 trial of its lead OX40-targeting candidate telazorlimab in 2021, that candidate barely gets a mention in Astria’s statement to disclose the deal. Astria is licensing the full OX40 portfolio, but its focus is on STAR-0310, a preclinical program that is forecast to enter human testing early in 2025.  The timeline puts Astria years behind the front-runners. Amgen has started seven phase 3 clinical trials of its candidate, rocatinlimab, over the past 16 months, while Sanofi top-lined positive phase 2b data in June. In contrast, the first clinical data on STAR-0310 in healthy volunteers aren't expected until the third quarter of 2025, by which time Amgen could have phase 3 data on rocatinlimab. Astria’s decision to focus on a preclinical program, rather than push telazorlimab into late-phase studies, could give it a differentiated candidate. The biotech sees STAR-0310 as a best-in-class prospect, pointing to its use of half-life extension technology, which could reduce dosing frequency, and early evidence of affinity, safety and tolerability to make its case.