Gilead Boosts Oncology Pipeline With 3 Clinical-Stage Programs

Gilead recently added three programs in Arcus Biosciences’ clinical-stage portfolio, including antibodies and small molecules, to its oncology pipeline.

Specifically, Gilead exercised its options to anti-TIGIT molecules, domvanalimab and AB308, as well as etrumandenant and quemliclustat. Additionally, the companies added a research collaboration.

“Gilead is pursuing some of the most promising mechanisms of action in oncology today, with the aim of achieving better treatment outcomes for more patients,” Daniel O’Day, chairman and CEO of Gilead, said in the announcement.

“The addition of three mid- to late-stage clinical programs into our oncology pipeline significantly expands the number of transformational medicines we can potentially deliver to people with cancer, while also enabling our pursuit of novel combinations,” O’Day continued.

Domvanalimab is currently in Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while AB308 is under Phase 1 evaluation. And etrumadenant is a dual adenosine A2a/A2b receptor antagonist in Phase 1 and Phase 2 NSCLC, colon cancer, and prostate cancer studies.

Additionally, quemliclustat is a small molecule CD73 inhibitor in a Phase 1 study for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Gilead and Arcus will boost the clinical development and advancement of these clinical-stage molecules and explore treatment combinations across the portfolios.

For example, Gilead will pursue potential chemotherapy-free regimens with Trodelvy combined with therapies optioned from the Arcus portfolio. In April, FDA approved Trodelvy for adults with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

The company will also be able to add its own candidates to existing Arcus studies.

“Through the expanded partnership, we will be able to leverage the combined portfolios of the two companies to enable rational exploration of unique and innovative combination therapies within a single integrated program,” said Terry Rosen, PhD, chief executive officer of Arcus.

Under the terms of the agreement, Arcus will receive option payments totaling $725 million and the companies will co-develop and share the global costs related to these programs.