Checkpoint Therapeutics gains license from Teva for oral PARP inhibitor

Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA) and US immuno-oncology firm Checkpoint Therapeutics, a Fortress Biotech (Nasdaq: FBIO) company, have entered a license agreement in which Checkpoint will obtain the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize CEP-8983 and its small molecule prodrug, CEP-9722, an oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor in early clinical development for solid tumors.

CEP-9722 is a novel, orally active, small molecule selective inhibitor of PARP-1 and PARP-2 enzymes that will be developed by Checkpoint as both a monotherapy and in combination with other anti-cancer agents, including Checkpoint’s novel immuno-oncology and checkpoint inhibitor antibodies currently in development. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Teva is committed to facilitating the development of its early clinical stage oncology programs, which hold promise for the oncology community, by identifying targeted opportunities with companies who have unique R&D capabilities in this therapeutic area,” said Michael Hayden, president of global R&D and chief scientific officer at Teva. “We believe Checkpoint’s development capabilities, in combination with its immuno-oncology antibodies already under development, will enable these molecules to move forward with future potential for patients,” Dr Hayden added.