CG Oncology could get $110 million in deal with Kissei on CG0070

Privately-held USA-based CG Oncology has entered an exclusive license, development and commercialization agreement with Japanese drugmaker Kissei Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4547) for its oncolytic immunotherapy drug CG0070 for Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries with the exception of China.

CG Oncology, previously Publishknown as Cold Genesys, has completed an investigational Phase II study of CG0070 in the USA in patients with BCG-unresponsive, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). In addition, CG Oncology is studying the use of CG0070 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in bladder cancer and other solid tumors.

"We are very excited to partner with Kissei, an R&D-oriented Japanese pharmaceutical company that shares our interests in developing innovative medicines for patients with debilitating urological and oncology conditions,” said Arthur Kuan, chief executive of CG Oncology. "Kissei possesses a track record of commercial success with both in-licensed and proprietary therapies in Asian markets, and their dedication to develop CG0070 in these territories makes Kissei an ideal partner. We sincerely look forward to collaborating with them to accelerate the development of CG0070 and to globalize patient access to a potentially important new therapeutic," he added.