BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

Hana Biosciences, Inex deal

March 20, 2006 8:00 AM UTC

The companies signed a letter of intent for HBX to in-license from IEX exclusive, worldwide rights to three cancer compounds formulated with next-generation liposomal delivery technology, including Marqibo sphingosomal vincristine. IEX will receive US$11.5 million up front in cash and stock and is eligible for milestones of up to US$30.5 million in stock, plus royalties.

Hana will seek an SPA for Phase III trials of Marqibo in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which the company hopes to begin this year. Last year, IEX received a not approvable letter for Marqibo to treat relapsed, aggressive NHL. The company was seeking accelerated approval based on results from a single-arm Phase IIb trial. ...