Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AGIO) has secured exclusive global rights to cevidoplenib, a next-generation oral SYK inhibitor, under a licensing agreement with South Korea's Oscotec, the company said Monday.
The agreement gives Agios worldwide rights to develop and commercialize cevidoplenib, which the company described as a novel, next-generation oral inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK). Oscotec, the originator of the candidate, is the counterparty granting the rights.
Under the terms of the deal, Oscotec will receive a $25 million upfront payment and is eligible to receive up to $140 million in development and regulatory milestones across up to three indications in the US and Europe, along with commercial milestone payments and royalties ranging from high single digits to mid-teens on future net sales.
Agios will focus on advancing cevidoplenib for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a rare autoimmune blood disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, leading to low platelet counts and an increased risk of bleeding. The company expects to advance cevidoplenib into Phase 3 development for ITP in the first half of 2028, following the completion of additional chemistry, manufacturing, and controls work.
Licensing cevidoplenib adds an oral SYK inhibitor to Agios's rare hematology portfolio and extends the company's reach into ITP, a therapeutic area it had not previously addressed. Bringing in an externally developed clinical asset gives Agios an additional pipeline program without originating the molecule in-house.
Agios Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering innovative medicines for patients with rare diseases.