BRIEF—Tolero Pharma and AbbVie collaboration on acute myeloid leukemia trial

Tolero Pharmaceuticals has entered into a clinical research collaboration with AbbVie, exploring the potential of combination therapy with AbbVie's Venclexta (venetoclax) and Tolero's investigational agent, alvocidib, for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Alvocidib is a small molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), which controls the expression of a survival factor, MCL-1.

Venetoclax is a small molecule inhibitor of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2). Both MCL-1 and BCL-2 are key proteins used by certain cancer cells to avoid apoptosis, and non-clinical studies have shown that cancer cells can resist inhibition of BCL-2 by using MCL-1 to avoid cell death.

Alvocidib is currently in Phase II development for the treatment of MCL-1-dependent AML.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tolero, which is a subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, and AbbVie will equally share all development expenses.

Tolero will retain full commercial rights for alvocidib and AbbVie will retain full commercial rights for venetoclax.