Specialised Therapeutics enters into agreement to launch cancer therapies in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore

Pharma News: A new partnership will facilitate the local launch and distribution of two new medicines in haematology and oncology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Incyte Biosciences will be responsible for the development, manufacture and supply of both products and Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST) will be responsible for regulatory, distribution and local marketing related activities in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Pemazyre (pemigatinib) is approved in the United States, Europe and Japan for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or rearrangement that have progressed after at least one prior line of systemic therapy.

Monjuvi (tafasitamab) in combination with Celgene’s Revlimid (lenalidomide) is approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

ST CEO Carlo Montagner said the new products were synergistic with the company’s strong oncology and haematology portfolios, and the new agreement was further endorsement of ST’s regional capabilities.

“We are proud to have been selected to partner with a world-leading biotech of Incyte’s calibre and look forward to these important products in our key regions,” he said.

“Both pemigatinib and tafasitamab address strong unmet needs in rare patient populations. We have extensive experience and a successful track record of working with clinicians and other stakeholders to bring innovative therapies to small patient populations where there is high unmet clinical need. Our teams look forward to working closely with Incyte to ensure all eligible patients have access to these therapies at the earliest opportunity.”

Incyte CEO Hervé Hoppenot said the latest collaboration and partnership provided an important strategic opportunity to further serve the global oncology community, offering innovative new medicines to patients with high unmet needs in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

“ST’s expertise in these regions, navigating complex regulatory channels to bring new therapies and technologies to patients with rare cancers, is complementary to our own commitment to positively impact the lives of patients with serious unmet medical needs,” he said. “We look forward to a successful and mutually beneficial partnership, working together with a shared goal of improving patient outcomes.”

Regulatory activities for both products are currently in progress.