Repare Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage precision oncology company, has received an approximately $1.5 million research service payment from Ono Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd. for the achievement of a specified research trigger, under the companies’ 2019 strategic partnership. Under the agreement, Repare is primarily responsible for carrying out research activities for its Polθ program, now known as RP-2119, until the first submission of an IND in the U.S. or Japan. 
 
“This reflects an important milestone in our RP-2119 Polθ program, as we undertake our IND-enabling studies and prepare for our previously guided initiation of clinical trials in the summer of 2023,” said Kim A. Seth, Chief Business Officer of Repare.
 
In January 2019, Repare entered into an exclusive strategic research, development and commercialization partnership with Ono for Repare’s small molecule Polθ inhibitor program in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and ASEAN countries, excluding mainland China. Repare retains rights to develop and commercialize the products outside the ONO territory, including the U.S., Canada and EU. Ono paid Repare approximately $8.1 million, comprised of an initial upfront fee and research service payments. In October 2021, upon the occurrence of a specified research trigger, Repare became eligible to receive a portion, amounting to ¥100 million ($0.9 million), of the research service payments.