Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq: RPRX) and Syndax Pharmaceuticals
(Nasdaq: SNDX) today announced that Royalty Pharma has entered into
a $350 million synthetic royalty funding agreement with Syndax
based on U.S. net sales of Niktimvo (axatilimab-csfr).
“We are excited to partner with Syndax, an innovative oncology
company with an exciting pipeline” said Pablo Legorreta, founder
and CEO of Royalty Pharma. “Niktimvo is a first-in-class product
that has the potential to address the serious and devastating
complications associated with chronic GVHD, where there is clear
unmet need for additional treatment options. We look forward to
Syndax and their partner Incyte launching Niktimvo soon and
bringing this important medicine to GVHD patients.”
“We expect this transaction to fund us through profitability,
while ensuring that we continue to participate in the profits from
Niktimvo and retain the upside of its future growth. With this
significant infusion of capital, we are well positioned to
successfully launch two first-in-class medicines and expand their
opportunity with additional indications,” said Michael A. Metzger,
Chief Executive Officer of Syndax. “Royalty Pharma shares our
belief that Niktimvo can create significant value as a new
treatment option for patients with chronic graft-versus-host
disease (GVHD) and recognizes its multi-billion-dollar franchise
potential.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Syndax received an upfront
payment of $350 million in exchange for a 13.8% royalty on U.S. net
sales of Niktimvo. Royalty payments to Royalty Pharma will cease
upon reaching a multiple of 2.35x.
Advisors
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Dechert LLP acted as legal
advisors to Royalty Pharma. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as
exclusive financial advisor and Cooley LLP acted as legal advisors
to Syndax on the transaction.
About
Niktimvo™ (axatilimab-csfr)
Niktimvo (axatilimab-csfr) is a first-in-class anti-CSF-1R
antibody approved for use in the U.S. for the treatment of chronic
graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after failure of at least two
prior lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients
weighing at least 40 kg (88.2 lbs).
In the U.S., Niktimvo will be co-commercialized by Syndax and
Incyte. Incyte has exclusive commercialization rights for Niktimvo
outside of the U.S. Syndax anticipates that Niktimvo will be
launched in the U.S. no later than early first quarter 2025.
In 2016, Syndax licensed exclusive worldwide rights to develop
and commercialize axatilimab from UCB. In September 2021, Syndax
and Incyte entered into an exclusive worldwide co-development and
co-commercialization license agreement for axatilimab in chronic
GVHD and any future indications.
Axatilimab is being studied in frontline combination trials in
chronic GVHD – a Phase 2 combination trial with ruxolitinib
(NCT06388564) is underway and a Phase 3 combination trial with
steroids is in preparation. Axatilimab is also being studied in an
ongoing Phase 2 trial in patients with idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis (NCT06132256).
Niktimvo is a trademark of Incyte.All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
Important Safety InformationWarnings
and PrecautionsInfusion-Related
Reactions
Niktimvo™ (axatilimab-csfr) can cause infusion-related
reactions. Infusion-related reactions, including hypersensitivity
reactions, occurred in 18% of patients who received Niktimvo in the
clinical trial (AGAVE-201), with Grade 3 or 4 reactions in
1.3%.
Premedicate with an antihistamine and an antipyretic for
patients who have previously experienced an infusion-related
reaction to Niktimvo. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of
infusion-related reactions, including fever, chills, rash,
flushing, dyspnea, and hypertension. Interrupt or slow the rate of
infusion or permanently discontinue Niktimvo based on severity of
the reaction.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on its mechanism of action, Niktimvo may cause fetal harm
when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the
potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive
potential to use effective contraception during treatment with
Niktimvo and for 30 days after the last dose.
Adverse Reactions
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients who
received Niktimvo (N=79). Serious adverse reactions in >2
patients included infection (pathogen unspecified) (14%), viral
infection (14%) and respiratory failure (5.1%). Permanent
discontinuation of Niktimvo due to an adverse reaction occurred in
10% of patients and dose reduction due to adverse reaction occurred
in 8% of patients. Dose interruptions due to an adverse reaction
occurred in 44% of patients. The adverse reactions leading to dose
interruption in >2 patients were viral infection, infection
(pathogen unspecified), bacterial infection, musculoskeletal pain,
and pyrexia.
The most common (≥15%) adverse reactions, including laboratory
abnormalities, were increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
infection (pathogen unspecified), increased alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), decreased phosphate, decreased hemoglobin,
viral infection, increased gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT),
musculoskeletal pain, increased lipase, fatigue, increased amylase,
increased calcium, increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK),
increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), nausea, headache, diarrhea,
cough, bacterial infection, pyrexia, and dyspnea.
Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who
received Niktimvo included:
- Eye disorders: periorbital edema
- Skin and subcutaneous skin disorders: pruritus
- Vascular disorders:
hypertension
Immunogenicity: Anti-Drug Antibody–Associated Adverse
ReactionsAcross treatment arms in patients with cGVHD who received
Niktimvo in clinical trials, among the patients who developed
anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), hypersensitivity reactions occurred in
26% (13/50) of patients with neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and in
4% (2/45) of those without NAb.
Use in Specific
PopulationsLactation
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a
breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment
and for 30 days after the last dose of Niktimvo.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy TestingVerify pregnancy status in females of
reproductive potential prior to initiating Niktimvo.
ContraceptionFemalesAdvise females of reproductive potential to
use effective contraception during treatment with Niktimvo and for
30 days after the last dose of Niktimvo.
Dosage and AdministrationDosage
Modifications for Adverse Reactions
Monitor aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine
phosphokinase (CPK), amylase, and lipase prior to the start of
Niktimvo therapy, every 2 weeks for the first month, and every 1 to
2 months thereafter until abnormalities are resolved. See Table 1
in the Prescribing Information for more recommendations. Please see
the full Prescribing Information for Niktimvo.
About Royalty Pharma plc
Founded in 1996, Royalty Pharma is the largest buyer of
biopharmaceutical royalties and a leading funder of innovation
across the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with
innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and
non-profits through small and mid-cap biotechnology companies to
leading global pharmaceutical companies. Royalty Pharma has
assembled a portfolio of royalties which entitles it to payments
based directly on the top-line sales of many of the industry’s
leading therapies. Royalty Pharma funds innovation in the
biopharmaceutical industry both directly and indirectly - directly
when it partners with companies to co-fund late-stage clinical
trials and new product launches in exchange for future royalties,
and indirectly when it acquires existing royalties from the
original innovators. Royalty Pharma’s current portfolio includes
royalties on more than 35 commercial products, including Vertex’s
Trikafta, GSK’s Trelegy, Roche’s Evrysdi, Johnson & Johnson’s
Tremfya, Biogen’s Tysabri and Spinraza, AbbVie and Johnson &
Johnson’s Imbruvica, Astellas and Pfizer’s Xtandi, Novartis’
Promacta, Pfizer’s Nurtec ODT and Gilead’s Trodelvy, and 16
development-stage product candidates.
About Syndax
Syndax Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical
company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies.
Highlights of the Company's pipeline include revumenib, a selective
menin inhibitor, and Niktimvo™ (axatilimab-csfr), an FDA-approved
monoclonal antibody that blocks the colony stimulating factor 1
(CSF-1) receptor. Fueled by our commitment to reimagining cancer
care, Syndax is working to unlock the full potential of its
pipeline and is conducting several clinical trials across the
continuum of treatment. For more information, please visit
www.syndax.com.
Royalty Pharma Forward-Looking Statements
The information set forth herein does not purport to be complete
or to contain all of the information you may desire. Statements
contained herein are made as of the date of this document unless
stated otherwise, and neither the delivery of this document at any
time, nor any sale of securities, shall under any circumstances
create an implication that the information contained herein is
correct as of any time after such date or that information will be
updated or revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes
available or changes occurring after the date hereof.
This document contains statements that constitute
“forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including
statements that express the company’s opinions, expectations,
beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding
future events or future results, in contrast with statements that
reflect historical facts. Examples include discussion of Royalty
Pharma’s strategies, financing plans, growth opportunities and
market growth. In some cases, you can identify such forward-looking
statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “intend,”
“believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “seek,” “project,” “expect,” “may,”
“will,” “would,” “could” or “should,” the negative of these terms
or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on
management’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information
currently available to the company. However, these forward-looking
statements are not a guarantee of Royalty Pharma’s performance, and
you should not place undue reliance on such statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties
and other variable circumstances, and other factors. Such risks and
uncertainties may cause the statements to be inaccurate and readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Many
of these risks are outside of the company’s control and could cause
its actual results to differ materially from those it thought would
occur. The forward-looking statements included in this document are
made only as of the date hereof. The company does not undertake,
and specifically declines, any obligation to update any such
statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to
any such statements to reflect future events or developments,
except as required by law.
Certain information contained in this document relates to or is
based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained
from third-party sources and the company’s own internal estimates
and research. While the company believes these third-party sources
to be reliable as of the date of this document, it has not
independently verified, and makes no representation as to the
adequacy, fairness, accuracy or completeness of, any information
obtained from third-party sources. In addition, all of the market
data included in this document involves a number of assumptions and
limitations, and there can be no guarantee as to the accuracy or
reliability of such assumptions. Finally, while the company
believes its own internal research is reliable, such research has
not been verified by any independent source.
For further information, please reference Royalty Pharma’s
reports and documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov.
Syndax Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "intend," "believe" and similar expressions (as well as
other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or
circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based on Syndax's expectations
and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these
forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from these forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press
release include, but are not limited to, statements about the
expected use of the upfront payment, including funding of the
Company through profitability; the Company’s positioning to launch
its products and expand opportunity; expectations of Niktimvo’s
billion-dollar franchise potential by creating significant value as
a new treatment option for patients with chronic GVHD; timing for
commercialization of Niktimvo in the U.S.; and the progress,
timing, clinical development and scope of clinical trials. Many
factors may cause differences between current expectations and
actual results, including: unexpected safety or efficacy data
observed during preclinical or clinical trials; clinical trial site
activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected;
changes in expected or existing competition; changes in the
regulatory environment; failure of Syndax's collaborators to
support or advance collaborations or product candidates; and
unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may
cause Syndax's actual results to differ from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are
discussed in Syndax's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the "Risk Factors" sections contained
therein. Except as required by law, Syndax assumes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect
any change in expectations, even as new information becomes
available.
Royalty Pharma Investor Relations and
Communications
+1 (212) 883-6772ir@royaltypharma.com
Syndax Contact
Sharon Klahre+1 (781) 684-9827sklahre@syndax.com
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