First-in-Human PERK inhibitor (HC-5404) to be developed in combination with AVEO's FOTIVDA^® (tivozanib) for RCC –

–  AVEO obtains option to an exclusive license for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of HC-5404 –

AVEO Oncology, an LG Chem company (AVEO), and HiberCell, Inc. (HiberCell) announced  that the companies have entered into an exclusive development and option agreement to develop HiberCell's first-in-human human protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) inhibitor, HC-5404, alone and in combination with AVEO's potent and selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), FOTIVDA^® (tivozanib). FOTIVDA is an anti-angiogenic agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March of 2021 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following two or more prior systemic therapies. Pre-clinical studies of HC-5404 in multiple solid tumor models, including gastric cancer and RCC, suggest the potential for enhanced anti-tumor efficacy when combined with an anti-angiogenic agent.

Under the terms of the agreement, AVEO is responsible for conducting initial stage clinical development. During the Phase 2 clinical trial, AVEO will have the option to obtain an exclusive license for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of HC-5404 in all therapeutic indications worldwide for an undisclosed option fee. In addition, if AVEO exercises its option, HiberCell will be eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties for global net sales of HC-5404, contingent upon successful development and commercialization.

"AVEO and LG Chem are excited to enter into this collaboration with HiberCell to advance the development of this first-in-human PERK inhibitor and to expand on our commitment to RCC patients," said Michael P. Bailey, President and CEO of AVEO. "HC-5404 has shown promising activity combined with VEGFR TKIs which makes pairing it with tivozanib in RCC a logical first phase of development. The combinability with our current portfolio in RCC, coupled with the opportunity to expand to other oncology indications, make this collaboration an important step in our vision to become a global leader in oncology."

"We are excited to be partnering with AVEO to help us explore the combination activity of HC-5404 and tivozanib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma," said Steven Gillis, Ph.D., Chairman and acting Chief Executive Officer at HiberCell. "AVEO brings considerable scientific and clinical development capabilities across oncology, including significant expertise in renal cell carcinoma. This collaboration is an important step in assessing the combination of HC-5404 and tivozanib in RCC and may inform broader development across multiple tumor types."

About FOTIVDA^® (tivozanib)
FOTIVDA^® (tivozanib) is an oral, next-generation vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It is a potent, selective inhibitor of VEGFRs 1, 2, and 3 with a long half-life designed to improve efficacy and tolerability. AVEO received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for FOTIVDA on March 10, 2021, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following two or more prior systemic therapies, based on data from the TIVO-3 trial comparing FOTIVDA to sorafenib. FOTIVDA was approved in August 2017 in the European Union and other countries in the territory of its partner Recordati UK Ltd. for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. FOTIVDA was discovered by Kyowa Kirin.