Syndax in menin-MLL deal with Allergan

Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SNDX) obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to inhibitors of the menin-MLL fusion oncogene from the Vitae Pharmaceuticals Inc. subsidiary of Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN). Syndax plans to begin clinical trials in 2019 of the small molecules to treat acute leukemia patients with chromosomal rearrangements in the MLL gene.

Translocations in MLL are involved in 5-10% of adult acute leukemias and up to 80% of infant leukemias. Fusion of translocated MLL with one of more than 60 partner genes results in chimeric proteins that interact with menin -- an oncogenic co-factor that is not required in normal hematopoiesis. Inhibitors that block the interaction between menin and MLL have shown activity in animal models of leukemia and prostate cancer (see BioCentury Innovations, April 23, 2015)...