Cancer Pipelines Contract: Incyte and iTeos Discontinue Drug Candidates Amid Underwhelming Clinical Results

Incyte Pipeline Cuts:

Incyte has discontinued several experimental cancer drugs, including two oral checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-L1, and a bispecific antibody developed in collaboration with Merus1.
The company also stopped work on two antibodies discovered via a partnership with Agenus1.
Incyte has further discontinued the development of zilurgisertib, an ALK2 inhibitor, due to limited efficacy in Phase I trials3.

iTeos Pipeline Adjustments:

iTeos has deprioritized the development of inupadenant, a small molecule A2AR blocker, after it failed to meet clinical expectations in a Phase II study for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer3.
The company is shifting focus to other "differentiated, first- or best-in-class therapies," with more details to be provided in 20253.

Impact on Companies:

Incyte's pipeline cuts are part of a strategic review to prioritize development in inflammation, dermatology, and rare blood cancers1.
iTeos's decision to deprioritize inupadenant reflects a focus on more promising candidates, despite the candidate showing some clinical activity3.

Financial and Market Implications:

Incyte's shares fell by 4% following the announcement of pipeline cuts1.
iTeos's decision to deprioritize inupadenant adds to concerns about the company's pipeline, but the company remains well-positioned financially, with a cash balance expected to provide runway through 202735.

Sources:

1. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/incyte-cancer-pipeline-cut-refocus-pd-l1-lag-3/722753/

3. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/cancer-pipelines-shrink-as-incyte-iteos-cut-candidates-following-disappointing-data

5. https://investors.iteostherapeutics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/iteos-reports-third-quarter-2024-financial-results-and-provides