TG Therapeutics Strikes Global Alliance to Develop Novel BET Inhibitors for Hematological Malignancies Treatment

TG Therapeutics, Inc. TGTX, revealed Friday that as part of a broader agreement with Jubilant Biosys, an Indian biotech company, it struck a sub-license deal with Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. to develop and commercialize Jubilant's novel BET inhibitor program in the field of hematological malignancies. TG Therapeutics indicated that Checkpoint would develop, as well as, commercialize these small molecule inhibitors in solid tumors. The company added that the BET inhibitor program was the subject of an exclusive, worldwide license agreement. As a result, Checkpoint in-licensed from Jubilant a family of patents covered compounds that inhibit BRD4, a member of the BET (Bromodomain and Extra Terminal) domain for cancer treatment. As per the agreed term, TG Therapeutics would pay an up-front licensing fee of $1 million and make additional payments contingent on some preclinical, clinical, and regulatory milestones. That included commercial milestones totaling a maximum of about $177 million and a single-digit royalty on net sales. The company would also offer funding to support some targeted research efforts at Jubilant Biosys. The company's executive chairman, interim CEO and President, Michael Weiss, commented, "We are very excited to add this BET inhibitor program to our growing portfolio of agents targeting hematological malignancies. BET inhibitors have shown early promise in the treatment of relapsed and refractory Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which remains a significant area of unmet medical need. There is emerging preclinical data showing BET inhibitors may enhance the activity of immuno-oncology agents, such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, providing multiple opportunities for us to combine this novel mechanism within our portfolio." He continued to add "Epigenetic targeted agents, especially BET inhibitors, have been an area of great interest of ours for some time and are particularly attractive to us because of their effects on c-Myc driven tumors, like aggressive GCB-subtype DLBCL, an area we have seen early activity with TGR-1202 and our proprietary combination referred to as TG-1303. We want to thank our collaborators at Checkpoint for introducing us to this opportunity." TG Therapeutics said that as it was ready to unveil its registration directed studies in DLBCL and Follicular Lymphoma, the company looks toward to next steps in the evolution of patient care and believe the best outcome would be achieved only through the integration of multiple novel agents. In the pre-market trading on Friday, the stock traded 9.4 percent higher.