Shanghai, China, November 20, 2023‌ – Usynova Pharmaceuticals Ltd. ("Usynova") today announced a global exclusive licensing agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) for its preclinical-stage small-molecule candidate drug UA022 targeting KRASG12D mutations.

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will obtain global exclusive rights to research, develop, and commercialize UA022. Usynova is eligible to receive a 24 million up front payment, with potential additional development and commercialization milestone payments of up to 395 million, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.

Dr. Hu Tao, co-founder and CEO of Usynova, stated: "KRASG12D is the most prevalent KRAS mutation in cancer, yet there are currently no approved treatments targeting it. We are thrilled to partner with AstraZeneca, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, to evaluate UA022's therapeutic potential. The discovery and validation of UA022 are the result of collaborative efforts, and we extend our gratitude to partners including WuXi AppTec for their instrumental support."

Stephen Fawell, VP of Oncology Research and Development at AstraZeneca, commented: "Building on AstraZeneca's legacy in targeting tumor drivers and mutations, this licensing agreement presents an exciting opportunity to accelerate the development of potential new therapies for patients with KRASG12D-mutated tumors, an area of significant unmet medical need."

About UA022

UA022 is an effective, orally administered small-molecule drug that selectively targets KRASG12D mutations. KRAS mutations are highly prevalent across various cancers, with G12D being the most common subtype, accounting for approximately 26% of all KRAS mutations. It is frequently found in pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. No approved KRASG12D inhibitors are currently available, leaving patients in urgent need of new treatment options. UA022 has demonstrated robust anticancer activity, favorable safety profiles, and excellent oral bioavailability in preclinical models.

About UsynovaFounded in January 2020, Usynova focuses on two major therapeutic areas: oncology and autoimmune diseases. The company is dedicated to developing novel therapeutics with global intellectual property rights based on new targets and mechanisms of action. Currently, multiple oncology and autoimmune disease drugs in its pipeline have advanced to clinical stages.

Reference:

[1] Hofmann MH, et al. (2022) Expanding the Reach of Precision Oncology by Drugging All KRAS Mutants. Cancer Discov. DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-1331