BEIJING, CHINA & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. -- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (Biocytogen, HKEX: 02315), a global biotech company focusing on the discovery of novel antibody/ADC therapeutics, announced that it has entered into an option and license agreement for a potential first-in-class B7H3/PTK7 BsADC program with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDYA), a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics.

“We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with IDEAYA to explore the promising combination of our potential first-in-class ADC and IDEAYA’s DDR small molecules,” said Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen. “This partnership leverages our cutting-edge RenLite® platform and proprietary linker-payload technology to enhance the precision and potency of ADCs. IDEAYA's strong determination and rich experience in drug development make us confident that this therapy could be rapidly advanced to benefit patients.”

“The potential first-in-class B7H3/PTK7 topo-I-payload BsADC program has the potential to be developed as a monotherapy agent in multiple solid tumor types, and advances IDEAYA’s broader corporate strategy to enable wholly-owned first-in-class rational combinations at the intersection of ADCs and small molecule DDR-based therapies to deliver greater benefit for patients,” said Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.

The agreement grants IDEAYA an option for an exclusive worldwide license from Biocytogen for a potential first-in-class B7H3/PTK7 topo-I-payload BsADC program. B7H3/PTK7 has been found to be co-expressed in multiple solid tumor types, including double-digit percent prevalence in lung, colorectal, and head and neck cancers, among others.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biocytogen will receive an upfront fee and upon an option exercise by IDEAYA, be entitled to receive an option exercise fee, development and regulatory milestones and commercial milestone payments, as well as single-digit royalties on net sales. Total potential upfront, option exercise and milestone payments equal an aggregate of $406.5 million, including development and regulatory milestones of $100.0 million.

Based on preclinical data, the potential first-in-class B7H3/PTK7 topoisomerase-I-inhibitor-payload BsADC program has the potential to be developed as a monotherapy agent and used in combination with multiple programs in IDEAYA’s pipeline targeting DDR-based therapies, including PARG inhibitor IDE161. A development candidate nomination for the B7H3/PTK7 topoisomerase-I-inhibitor payload BsADC program is targeted for the second half of 2024.