Eli Lilly has announced plans to acquire Scorpion Therapeutics‘ PI3Kα inhibitor program STX-478, a treatment that could potentially address 30-40% of people with hormone-positive breast cancer. The deal, valued at up to $2.5 billion, includes an upfront payment and subsequent milestone-based payments.
STX-478 is currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for breast cancer and other advanced solid tumors. The once-daily oral treatment is designed to selectively target the PI3Kα pathway in cancerous cells while sparing healthy cells, potentially offering improved tolerability compared to existing treatments.
“PI3Kα mutations occur in a meaningful proportion of hormone-positive breast cancers, and there is significant unmet need for new treatment options that effectively and safely target this pathway,” said Jacob Van Naarden, executive vice president and president of Lilly Oncology. “The selectivity profile of STX-478 has led to a differentiated clinical profile, enabling use in combinations with standard-of-care therapies to potentially deliver meaningful impact in earlier treatment settings when there is the best opportunity to improve outcomes for patients.”
As part of the transaction, Scorpion will spin out a new entity to hold its employees and non-PI3Kα pipeline assets, with Lilly maintaining a minority equity interest. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions.
