Novartis Partners with BeiGene for TIGIT Drug Development

Novartis has partnered with BeiGene, a Chinese biotech company, to develop ociperlimab, a TIGIT antibody currently in phase 3 testing for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The Swiss pharmaceutical giant has agreed to pay BeiGene $300 million upfront, with the possibility of an additional $700 million if Novartis exercises its option on the drug by 2023.

This collaboration builds on the existing partnership between the two companies, which previously led to the development of tislelizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor filed for FDA approval as a second-line treatment for oesophageal cancer. The partnership aims to explore the potential of combining TIGIT-targeted drugs with PD-1 inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

Novartis' investment in ociperlimab is part of a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry, where companies are increasingly focusing on TIGIT as a promising target for cancer treatment. TIGIT-targeted drugs are believed to inhibit anti-tumour responses that down-regulate the activity of certain T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, offering a new avenue for cancer immunotherapy.

The deal grants Novartis an option on rights to ociperlimab in several key markets, including the US, Canada, Mexico, the EU, UK, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Russia, and Japan, while BeiGene retains 50% rights in the US and exclusivity in China and other Asian markets. Additionally, BeiGene will promote some Novartis cancer drugs in China, strengthening Novartis' presence in the country's significant cancer market.

During the option period, Novartis and BeiGene will collaborate on the clinical development of the ociperlimab/tislelizumab combination, with Novartis leading the clinical trials. Ociperlimab is distinguished by its intact Fc domain, which Novartis believes is critical for the drug's anti-tumour activities. This approach contrasts with other TIGIT-targeted drugs in development, which may have inactivated or enhanced Fc domains, highlighting the diverse strategies being explored in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

The partnership between Novartis and BeiGene underscores the growing interest in TIGIT as a target for cancer treatment and the potential for combining TIGIT inhibitors with PD-1 inhibitors to improve outcomes for patients with cancer.