Servier and IDEAYA Biosciences have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement valued at up to $530 million to develop and commercialize darovasertib, a promising treatment for uveal melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer. The partnership announced on September 2, 2025, grants Servier regulatory and commercial rights for darovasertib in all territories outside the United States, while IDEAYA retains its US rights.
Financial Terms and Structure
Under the agreement, IDEAYA will receive an upfront payment of $210 million and be eligible for up to $100 million in regulatory approval-based milestone payments and up to $220 million in commercial milestone payments. The company will also receive double-digit royalties on net sales in all territories outside the United States. Both companies will collaborate on development activities and share associated costs.
"This partnership enables IDEAYA and Servier to accelerate the global development for darovasertib across three Phase 3 registrational trials, aiming to improve patient outcomes in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic settings," said Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer of IDEAYA Biosciences.
Drug Profile and Mechanism
Darovasertib is a potent and selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor being developed to broadly address primary and metastatic uveal melanoma. The drug has received significant regulatory recognition from the US FDA, including Breakthrough Therapy Designation as neoadjuvant therapy in enucleation recommended primary uveal melanoma and Fast Track designation for darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in adult patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. The FDA has also designated darovasertib as an Orphan Drug for uveal melanoma, including metastatic disease.
Clinical Development Program
Darovasertib is currently being evaluated in multiple global clinical trials. The development program includes a Phase 2/3 randomized trial evaluating darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in first-line patients with HLA-A2-negative metastatic uveal melanoma, with median progression-free survival readout anticipated from year-end 2025 to Q1 2026. A Phase 3 randomized trial is evaluating neoadjuvant darovasertib as monotherapy in primary uveal melanoma, independent of HLA status.
IDEAYA and Servier plan to launch a global Phase 3 randomized clinical trial in 2026 to evaluate adjuvant darovasertib in primary uveal melanoma in both HLA-A2-negative and -positive patients.
Disease Background and Unmet Need
Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer that originates in the uveal tract, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Despite its rarity, the disease poses significant risks due to its potential to metastasize to other parts of the body, particularly the liver. Current treatment options are limited and include radiation therapy, surgical removal of the tumor, or removal of the eye (enucleation) in severe cases.
"Today, there are limited treatment options and there is an urgent need to improve patient outcomes," said Arnaud Lallouette, Executive Vice-President Global Medical & Patient Affairs at Servier. "We look forward to leveraging our global oncology network, and expertise in developing oncology targeted therapies, to make this groundbreaking treatment accessible to patients across the globe."
Strategic Rationale
The partnership leverages Servier's global footprint and proven track record in bringing novel therapies to patients in Europe and other key territories outside the US. Servier operates in close to 140 countries and achieved revenues of €5.9 billion in 2023-2024. The company allocates close to 70% of its R&D budget to oncology as part of its ambition to become a leading player in rare cancers.
Daniel Simon, Chief Business Officer at IDEAYA Biosciences, emphasized that "Servier's global footprint and proven track record in bringing novel therapies to patients in Europe and other key territories outside of the U.S. will ensure that this potentially life-changing treatment reaches as many patients as possible."
