Exscientia pays GT Apeiron $10M upfont cash+ equity for ‘full control’ of 617

Exscientia announced it has reached an agreement to acquire GT Apeiron’s share of its oral CDK7 inhibitor programme, gaining full control of GTAEXS617 or 617, and all related intellectual property. The monotherapy dose escalation phase of ELUCIDATE is designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ‘617 in advanced solid tumours. Recruitment for the trial is progressing well with monotherapy dose escalation data on track to readout in the second half of 2024. In late 2024/early 2025, the study will transition to a combination dose escalation phase. The first tumour type to be explored in this portion of the study is expected to be HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients that have progressed on CDK4/6 inhibitors, assessing ‘617 in combination with a selective estrogen receptor degrader SERD . “We are excited to have full ownership of this potentially transformative asset,” said David Hallett, Ph.D., interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Exscientia. ” … Under the terms of the agreement, Exscientia will own full rights to the intellectual property as well as full control of this CDK7 inhibitor programme. Exscientia will pay GT Apeiron $10M in upfront cash, $10M in upfront equity, and take on all existing development costs, in addition to paying single digit royalties if Exscientia or a third party commercializes ‘617. Following the transaction, Exscientia’s cash runway is still expected to extend well into 2027.