Bayer has exercised its option, under a change-in-control clause in the collaboration agreement with Loxo Oncology, to obtain the exclusive licensing rights for the global development and commercialization of two cancer drugs.
Lilly closed its buyout of Loxo, which triggered the clause that was part of a 2017 partnership between Loxo and Bayer. Bayer now owns two compounds - Vitrakvi and BAY 2731954 - both being developed globally for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with advanced solid tumors harboring NTRK gene fusions.
Bayer is already leading ex-U.S. regulatory activities, and worldwide commercial activities. When the new exclusive licensing arrangement takes effect, the co-promotion in the U.S. will be converted into an exclusive commercialization by Bayer and the sharing of commercial costs and profits on a 50/50 basis for the U.S. market will be replaced by royalties to be paid by Bayer.
Read the press release