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Glenmark licenses oncology products from US-based APC Therapeutics

Glenmark to have for exclusive rights to a small molecule, oncology compound based on APC biology

Glenmark discovers new biologic drug for cancer treatment

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Last Updated : Jun 21 2017 | 4:06 PM IST

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has entered into a licensing agreement with Boston-based APC Therapeutics Inc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on building a portfolio of best-in-class immuno-oncology (IO) therapies, for exclusive rights to a small molecule, oncology compound based on Antigen Presenting Cell (APC) biology. The compound has the potential to be used as a monotherapy or in combination with approved therapies to address unmet needs in cancer treatment.

“This asset adds to our robust biologics pipeline of targeted IO therapies. The mechanism of action of APC biology is very intriguing and has the potential to be transformative in cancer treatment by triggering powerful immunologic responses to tumors that may lead to deeper and more durable responses to treatment,” said Kurt Stoeckli, president and chief scientific officer, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the agreement, Glenmark will license the product from APC Therapeutics, and manage all clinical development including regulatory filings and commercialisation worldwide. APC Therapeutics will receive development milestones and sales royalty payments.

“Glenmark is an ideal partner to advance such an important scientific breakthrough treatment to patients with cancer. This partnership is strategically significant for APC Therapeutics as it validates and advances our commitment to bring the right immunotherapies to the right patient populations,” said Vinod Patel and Venkateshwar Reddy, the co-founders of APC Therapeutics.

The global oncology market is growing exponentially and projected to exceed $ 150 billion by 2020, according to figures from IMS Health. Driving this growth is the transition from short-term cytotoxic treatments towards precision medicines, most notably immune-oncology agents providing substantial increase in long-term survival. Because of these improvements, IO is one of the most promising and fastest growing areas of cancer treatment and research.