Under an exclusive agreement, Jazz Pharmaceuticals will acquire development and commercialisation rights to Zymeworks’ zanidatamab across all indications and all territories except for those Asia/Pacific territories previously licensed by Zymeworks.
Zymeworks will receive a $50 million upfront payment, a second payment of $325 million, at Jazz’s option, and further potential regulatory and commercial milestones up to $1.76 billion, plus royalties on net sales.
Zanidatamab is a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody with novel mechanisms of action. It is currently being trialed as a second-line treatment for HER2-expressing biliary tract cancer (BTC) and as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). In BTC, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted it Breakthrough Therapy designation.
“Zanidatamab is a novel HER2-targeted bispecific antibody with biparatopic binding and the potential to transform the current standard of care in multiple HER2 expressing cancers,” said Rob Iannone, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research and Development of Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
“Zanidatamab has the potential to deliver significant long-term value and meaningfully contribute to Vision 2025 as we aim to deliver at least five novel therapies to patients by the end of the decade.”
