Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Arcus Biosciences, Inc. announced that Gilead has exercised its options to three programs in Arcus’s clinical-stage portfolio, including both anti-TIGIT molecules, domvanalimab and AB308, as well as etrumadenant and quemliclustat. The companies also added a research collaboration as described below. Today’s transaction is subject to applicable antitrust clearance under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. The parties expect the transaction to close by year-end.
Domvanalimab is an Fc-silent anti-TIGIT antibody in Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and AB308 is an Fc-enabled anti-TIGIT antibody under Phase 1 evaluation. Etrumadenant is a dual adenosine A2a/A2b receptor antagonist in Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in NSCLC, colon cancer and prostate cancer. Quemliclustat is a small molecule CD73 inhibitor in a Phase 1 study in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Gilead has been encouraged by early clinical data generated for each of the three programs. By opting in early to all three programs now, Gilead and Arcus are able to accelerate the clinical development and advancement of these clinical-stage molecules and facilitate the exploration of treatment combinations across the portfolios. For example, Gilead will be able to pursue potential chemotherapy-free regimens with Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in combination with therapies optioned from the Arcus portfolio. Gilead will also have the flexibility to add Gilead portfolio candidates to existing Arcus studies.
“Gilead is pursuing some of the most promising mechanisms of action in oncology today, with the aim of achieving better treatment outcomes for more patients,” said Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences. “The addition of three mid- to late-stage clinical programs into our oncology pipeline significantly expands the number of transformational medicines we can potentially deliver to people with cancer, while also enabling our pursuit of novel combinations.”
“Through the expanded partnership, we will be able to leverage the combined portfolios of the two companies to enable rational exploration of unique and innovative combination therapies within a single integrated program,” said Terry Rosen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Arcus. “The early exercise of Gilead’s options will now ensure that Arcus is well positioned to accelerate and expand clinical development activities so that it may deliver benefit to patients with some of the most difficult to treat cancers, including pancreatic, lung, colon and prostate.”