Astellas Pharma Inc. has exercised its exclusive option to acquire Potenza Therapeutics, Inc., paying $164.6 million upfront and additional payments of as much as $240.1 million, depending on the progress of various programs.

The acquisition follows the successful outcome of a collaboration agreement entered in 2015 to build a portfolio of novel immuno-oncology (IO) therapies. The clinical IO therapies developed may also provide a platform for IO combinations with Astellas’ existing non-IO programs for life cycle management and future novel IO combinations.
 
Astellas and Potenza have discovered and developed three investigational new drugs (INDs) with the potential to treat various cancers that are non-responsive or resistant to the current generation of IO therapies. These programs target immune stimulation, immune checkpoint inhibition, and regulatory T cell function and include: ASP8374/PTZ-201, an anti-TIGIT antibody and ASP1948/PTZ-329, an anti-NRP1 antibody, both of which are currently in Phase I studies; and ASP1951/PTZ-522, a novel format GITR agonistic antibody, which has achieved IND clearance.

Upon the closing of this transaction, Potenza became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas, establishing a competitive and fully owned clinical IO pipeline. 

“This transaction underscores Astellas’ commitment to innovation and scientific partnerships to advance our creation of value for patients,” said Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, Astellas. “In oncology, Astellas has focused on developing treatments for unmet medical needs with novel mechanisms of action and modalities. We believe the novel assets we have developed with Potenza have the potential to make an even more pronounced difference for patients in need.”

“We are extremely proud of what the experienced Potenza team has accomplished to discover and create innovative therapeutics for the treatment of cancers,” said Dan Hicklin, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, Potenza. “Over the past three and a half years, we have enjoyed a successful and productive partnership with Astellas. I am pleased that these therapies will now have access to the resources of a large international company, with world-class R&D and the strategic and financial backing to support the development of these innovative potential new medicines for cancer patients in need.”