Array BioPharma and AstraZeneca in oncology collaboration
Array BioPharma, of Bouldoer, Colorado, and AstraZeneca have entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement to develop Array's MEK programme in the field of oncology.
Array BioPharma, of Bouldoer, Colorado, and AstraZeneca have entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement to develop Array's MEK programme in the field of oncology.
The programme includes the clinical development candidate ARRY-142886 and related intellectual property.
Under the agreement, Array will receive an upfront payment of US$10m, research funding, potential development milestones of more than $85m (dependent upon the number of successfully commercialised products) and royalties on product sales. Array plans to file an investigational new drug application (IND) and initiate a Phase I clinical trial during 2004. AstraZeneca acquires exclusive worldwide rights to ARRY-142886 and certain second-generation compounds for all oncology indications.
ARRY-142886, a selective, orally active MEK inhibitor, interferes with a critical cellular hyperproliferation pathway. ARRY-142886 has shown tumour suppressive activity in multiple rodent models of human cancer including melanoma, pancreatic, colon, lung, and breast cancers.
The parties have created a joint steering committee to oversee the drug development process. Array is responsible for filing the IND, Phase I clinical testing and certain aspects of process research for the development of ARRY-142886. In addition, Array is responsible for creating a select number of second-generation compounds, including cGMP manufacturing of Phase I clinical materials. AstraZeneca will be responsible for all other aspects of clinical development and commercialisation.