AbbVie and Jacobio Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance SHP2 Inhibitors
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill.?and?BEIJING,?June 1, 2020?/PRNewswire/ --?AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, and Jacobio Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, today announced a global, strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize?SHP2?inhibitors, which target a key node in cancer and immune cells.
SHP2?is an important protein mediator of cellular signaling through RAS/MAP kinase pathway. Many tumors have genetic mutations, driving abnormal cancer cell growth which relies on?SHP2?activity.?SHP2?also plays a key role to control cytokine production and immune cell response. Therefore, inhibition of?SHP2?is believed to have dual effects by potentially reducing cancer cell growth and modulating immune responses to generate anti-tumor activities. Jacobio's early clinical stage?SHP2?assets, JAB-3068 and JAB-3312, are oral small molecules designed to specifically inhibit?SHP2?activity.
"Identifying promising new targeted approaches for solid tumor patients is a high priority for us," said?Mohit Trikha, Ph.D., vice president and head, early development oncology and Bay Area site head, AbbVie. "Jacobio's?SHP2?program has the potential to treat cancer patients across many tumor types.? By targeting a key node in both cancer and immune cell signaling pathways,?SHP2?inhibition, both as a monotherapy and potentially in combination with other agents, may rapidly advance new treatment options for cancer patients."
"We are excited to expand our efforts in global development of delivering breakthrough innovation to not just Chinese, but global patients with cancer," said Yinxiang Wang, Ph.D., CEO and Chairman, Jacobio.? "We look forward to a productive collaboration with AbbVie focused on rapidly advancing this novel?SHP2?first-in-class therapy as a new approach for multiple cancer types. I am confident that this partnership will strengthen our R&D capabilities and ultimately bring benefits to cancer patients."
Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will be granted an exclusive license to the?SHP2?portfolio. Jacobio will continue to conduct early global clinical trials of JAB-3068 and JAB-3312 with AbbVie covering R&D expenses. Upon completion, AbbVie will assume global development and commercialization responsibilities. Jacobio has an option, exercisable before the initiation of registrational trials, to exclusively develop and commercialize the?SHP2?program in mainland?China,?Hong Kong, and?Macau. Financial terms were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at?www.abbvie.com. Follow?@abbvie?on?Twitter,?Facebook,?Instagram,?YouTube?and?LinkedIn.
About Jacobio
Jacobio Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is committed to providing more products and solutions to people's health.? Our mission and vision are "For Patients" and to develop innovative drugs globally.?The company's R&D centers are located in?Beijing?and?Boston, with a platform and expertise in developing allosteric inhibitors against protein tyrosine phosphatase, KRAS and transcriptional factors. The company is financed by several top-tier investors, including Lilly Asia Ventures, Hillhouse,?QiMing and BioEngine. For more information about Jacobio, please visit us at?www.jacobiopharma.com.
SOURCE AbbVie
