The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to Ziihera (zanidatamab), a novel drug developed by Zymeworks Inc. for the treatment of HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. This approval, under a licensing and commercialization agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals, marks a significant milestone for Zymeworks and offers a new therapeutic option for patients with this aggressive cancer. The accelerated approval is based on clinical trial data demonstrating meaningful benefit in patients with previously treated HER2-positive biliary tract cancer.
Financial Implications for Zymeworks
The FDA's accelerated approval triggers a $25 million milestone payment to Zymeworks from Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Under the licensing agreement, Zymeworks is eligible for up to $500 million in regulatory milestones, $862.5 million in commercial milestone payments, and royalties ranging from 10 to 20 percent on sales.
Zymeworks' Perspective
According to Zymeworks, this approval represents the first FDA-approved therapy in their pipeline, validating the company's Azymetric bispecific platform technology and internal research and development capabilities for novel multifunctional medicines. Paul Moore, Zymeworks’ chief science officer, stated that the approval marks the culmination of over a decade of research and development, highlighting their expertise in multifunctional biotherapeutics and commitment to innovation.
Clinical Trial Data
Zanidatamab's efficacy was demonstrated in clinical trials, with results published in The Lancet. The study concluded that zanidatamab showed meaningful clinical benefit with a manageable safety profile in patients with treatment-refractory, HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. These findings supported the FDA's decision to grant accelerated approval, providing a new option for patients with limited treatment alternatives.
