BRIEF—Tay and VYNE agree second BET blocker deal

UK-based small molecule specialist Tay Therapeutics has entered into an exclusive license agreement with VYNE Therapeutics for its oral BET inhibitor, TAY-B2.

The agreement builds on a 2021 deal to out-license a topical pan-BET inhibitor to VYNE for £16 million ($20 million) in upfront and milestone payments.

Together, the deals represent a potential for milestone revenues of over $65 million for the first indications, along with tiered royalty payments of up to 10% of net annual sales.

VYNE has initiated investigational new drug (IND) enabling studies and intends to file an IND in the USA by the end of the year.

Tay chief executive Tim Sparey said the agreement “completes the out-licensing of our BET inhibitor projects to a partner with the development expertise in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases where there is high unmet need.”