Alkermes and Clovis Oncology Initiate Research Collaboration to Explore Combination Cancer Therapies
-- Combinations of ALKS 4230 with Rucaparib and Lucitanib to be Evaluated in Multiple Preclinical Tumor Models --
DUBLIN and BOULDER, Colo. , Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) and Clovis Oncology,
Inc. (Nasdaq: CLVS) today announced that the companies have entered into a research collaboration to evaluate
ALKS 4230, Alkermes' investigational engineered interleukin-2 (IL-2) variant immunotherapy, in combination with
rucaparib, Clovis' marketed PARP inhibitor, and lucitanib, Clovis' investigational tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The
collaboration will explore the potential anti-cancer eects of both treatment combinations in preclinical models
across multiple tumor types. Results of this research may form the basis for potential future clinical studies of the
novel combinations of ALKS 4230 with rucaparib and/or lucitanib.
"Our preclinical partnership with Clovis reects our ongoing eorts to explore the numerous combination options
aorded to ALKS 4230. The collaboration will allow us to examine combinations in two areas of keen interest, PARP
and tyrosine kinase inhibition pathways," said Mark Namchuk , Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research,
Pharmaceutical and Non-Clinical Development at Alkermes. "Evidence of combined benet of ALKS 4230 with
rucaparib and/or lucitanib from these preclinical studies may provide a strong rationale to advance into clinical
development."
"The unique proles of rucaparib, lucitanib and ALKS 4230 may oer the potential for complementary therapies
that could represent a meaningful opportunity for the development of new anti-cancer combination treatment
options," said Patrick J. Mahay , President and CEO of Clovis Oncology . "We are committed to exploring
combinations such as these with Alkermes in order to bring improved therapeutic outcomes to patients with
multiple tumor types."
Under this collaboration agreement, Alkermes and Clovis will perform preclinical studies to examine the
1
mechanism of action and ecacy of the combinations of ALKS 4230 with rucaparib and ALKS 4230 with lucitanib in
multiple tumor models. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will share costs related to the preclinical
studies, and each will contribute their respective compounds to the research collaboration.
About ALKS 4230
ALKS 4230 is an investigational, novel, engineered fusion protein designed to selectively activate tumor-killing
immune cells while avoiding the expansion of immunosuppressive cells by preferentially binding to the
intermediate-anity interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor complex. The selectivity of ALKS 4230 is designed to leverage the
proven anti-tumor eects of existing IL-2 therapy while mitigating certain limitations.
About Rucaparib
Rucaparib is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes PARP-1, PARP-2,
and PARP-3, which play a role in DNA repair. Rucaparib stimulates an anti-tumor immune response through the
activation of the stimulator of interferon ( STING ) pathway and tumor cell death, resulting in the inltration of
multiple immune subsets including CD8 positive T-cells. 1
Rucaparib is being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian, metastatic castration-resistant prostate,
and bladder cancers, as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in
other tumor types are also underway. Clovis holds worldwide rights for rucaparib. Rucaparib is an unlicensed
medical product outside of the U.S. and Europe .
About Lucitanib
Lucitanib is an oral, potent inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1
through 3 (VEGFR1-3), platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDFGRa/?) and broblast growth
factor receptors 1 through 3 (FGFR1-3).
Emerging clinical data support the combination of angiogenesis inhibitors and immunotherapy to increase
eectiveness in multiple cancer indications. 2 Angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),
are frequently up-regulated in tumors and create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. 3 Use of
antiangiogenic drugs reverses this immunosuppression and can augment response to immunotherapy.
Lucitanib is an unlicensed medical product.
About Alkermes
Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines for the
treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The company has a diversied commercial product portfolio
and a substantial clinical pipeline of product candidates for chronic diseases that include schizophrenia,
2
depression, addiction, multiple sclerosis and oncology. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland , Alkermes plc has an R&D
center in Waltham, Massachusetts ; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland ; and a manufacturing
facility in Wilmington, Ohio . For more information, please visit Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com .
About Clovis Oncology
Clovis Oncology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing
innovative anti-cancer agents in the U.S. , Europe and additional international markets. Clovis Oncology targets
development programs at specic subsets of cancer populations, and simultaneously develops, with partners,
diagnostic tools intended to direct a compound in development to the population that is most likely to benet from
its use. Clovis Oncology is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado ; please visit www.clovisoncology.com for more
information, including additional oce locations in the U.S. and Europe .
Alkermes Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning:
the potential therapeutic and commercial value of ALKS 4230, including in combination with rucaparib and/or
lucitanib; and development plans for ALKS 4230 in combination with rucaparib and/or lucitanib, including
preclinical studies and potential future clinical studies of such combinations. You are cautioned that forwardlooking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the company believes that such statements are based on
reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, the forward-looking
statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to dier materially from those expressed
or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, whether
preclinical and early clinical results for ALKS 4230, including ALKS 4230 in combination with rucaparib and/or
lucitanib, will be predictive of future clinical study results; whether ALKS 4230, alone or in combination, could be
shown to be unsafe or ineective; whether future clinical trials or future stages of ongoing clinical trials for ALKS
4230, whether alone or in combination, will be initiated or completed on time or at all; changes in the cost, scope
and duration of development activities for ALKS 4230; and those risks and uncertainties described under the
heading "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 and in
subsequent lings made by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are
available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by
law, the company disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements
contained in this press release.
Clovis Oncology Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
3
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Clovis
Oncology, they are forward-looking statements reecting the current beliefs and expectations of management.
Examples of forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, among others, statements
regarding our expectations regarding the timing and pace of commencement of and enrollment in our clinical trials,
including those being planned or conducted in collaboration with partners. Such forward-looking statements
involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to
dier signicantly from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties
include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in our clinical development programs for our drug candidates,
including rucaparib and lucitanib, and those of our partners, whether preclinical results will be predictive of future
clinical study results, whether safety and ecacy results from monotherapy trials are predictive of safety and
ecacy in combination with other compounds, the corresponding development pathways of our companion
diagnostics, the timing of availability of data from our clinical trials and the results, the initiation, enrollment and
timing of our planned clinical trials, actions by the FDA, the EMA or other regulatory authorities regarding whether
to accept or approve drug applications that may be led, as well as their decisions regarding drug labeling,
reimbursement and pricing, and other matters that could aect the development, availability or commercial
potential of our drug candidates or companion diagnostics. Clovis Oncology does not undertake to update or revise
any forward-looking statements. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Clovis Oncology's
lings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its reports on
Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
1 Nguyen, et al. "Rucaparib Induces IFN Type 1 Regulated Genes and Enhances Immune-Associated Tumor
Suppression," presented at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. Abstract
1716.
2 Makker et al. "Lenvatinib + Pembrolizumab in Advanced Endometrial Cancer: Updated Results." Presented at the
2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Abstract 5596.
3 Fukumara, et al Nat Rev Clin Oncol . 2018 May;15(5):325-340. Nat. Rev. Clin . Onc. " Enhancing cancer
immunotherapy using antiangiogenics: opportunities and challenges."
Alkermes Contacts:
For Investors: Sandy Coombs +1 781 609 6377
For Media: Sherry Feldberg +1 781 609 6276
4
Clovis Oncology Contacts:
For Investors: Anna Sussman +1 303 625 5022
Breanna Burkart +1 303 625 5023
For Media: Lisa Guiterman +1 301 217 9353
Christy Curran +1 615 414 8668
SOURCE Alkermes plc
5