Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Biodesix deal
The companies partnered to develop and commercialize Biodesix's VeriStrat as a companion diagnostic for Aveo's ficlatuzumab, which is in development for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Aveo plans to conduct a proof-of-concept study before year end evaluating ficlatuzumab in combination with Tarceva erlotinib in advanced NSCLC patients selected using VeriStrat. The partners expect the study will be designated as a Phase II trial. Biodesix will contribute up to $15 million towards study costs, which it believes will cover all of the trial costs, and the partners will equally share additional development costs for ficlatuzumab and profits. A joint steering committee will guide the development of ficlatuzumab, for which Aveo will be responsible for developing and commercializing. Biodesix will be responsible for developing and commercializing VeriStrat and retain all VeriStrat revenues.
In 2012, Aveo reduced headcount and said it would seek to partner programs, including ficlatuzumab. The compound is a human IgG1 mAb antagonist of the human hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) ligand, a c-Met receptor activator (see BioCentury, Oct. 8, 2012 & Nov. 5, 2012). ...