Boston Strategics Licenses E6201 Oncology Drug From Eisai

Boston Strategics Corporation (BSC) announced in a press release that it has entered a licensing agreement with Eisai. The new partnership allows BSC to develop and commercialize Eisai’s E6201, an oncology drug, worldwide.

Eita Kitayama, President of Boston Strategics, stated that the agreement validates the company’s approach to sharing risks and successes with strategic partners. He said, “Eisai recognized the value of this approach and entrusted BSC with the development of E6201 for cancer indications to build on the foundation of this new platform.”

Boston Strategics and Eisai Agreement

The exclusive licensing agreement between BSC and Eisai is specifically for E6201. BSC has licensed the novel compound for all oncology targets with worldwide commercialization rights. BSC states that the collaboration is evidence of the efficacy of its “True” Open Innovation platform. The concept is a comprehensive approach to drug development, utilizing internal expertise and adding outside resources as needed.

E6201

E6201 is a multi-kinase inhibitor that targets both FLT3 and MEK. Preclinical studies showed promise in meeting high unmet treatment needs in FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). FLT3 is mutated in a third of AML patients and these patients have poor cure rates. A Phase I clinical trial of E6201 showed antitumor activity and a favorable safety profile. Based on preclinical and clinical data, BSC is designing a clinical Proof of Concept (PoC) trial in FLT3 mutated AML patients.

Boston Strategics Corporation  

Boston Strategics Corporation (BSC) develops drugs and carries them through initial phases to marketing. The new partnership with Eisai is part of its development strategy. In 2013, the company formed partnerships with FUJIFILM Pharmaceuticals and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The arrangement with the hospital is not detailed, but rather a general agreement to cooperate on oncology research. The collaboration with FUJIFILM Pharmaceuticals is for FUJIFILM to utilize BSC’s internal oncology development expertise.

Eisai

Eisai, a Japanese company, has recently moved its pipeline forward in Japan and worldwide. In June 2014, the company submitted a marketing authorization application in Japan for its thyroid cancer agent lenvatinib mesylate (lenvatinib). In May 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eisai’s antiemetic agent Aloxi (palonosetron) for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.