Servier Inks $780M Global Licensing Deal for RAF Inhibitor BDTX-4933 with Black Diamond Therapeutics

On March 19, in France, Servier and Black Diamond Therapeutics announced a global strategic licensing agreement for BDTX-4933, a potential best-in-class targeted therapy for solid tumors. Under this global agreement, Servier will develop and commercialize BDTX-4933, a small molecule designed by Black Diamond Therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in RAF/RAS mutant solid tumors.

Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice President of R&D at Servier, stated:"At Servier, we are committed to transforming patient care in areas of severe unmet need. Our partnership to develop BDTX-4933 represents a significant opportunity in targeted cancer therapies, as we believe we can serve more people by helping the right patients find the right treatment at the right time. We look forward to accelerating the development of this therapy as a potential best-in-class option for cancer patients."

Mark Velleca, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Diamond Therapeutics, stated:"This agreement supports our mission to advance oral therapies for cancer, aiming to give patients the opportunity to live longer, healthier, and more active lives. Servier's commitment to innovation and deep expertise in oncology make them an ideal partner for Black Diamond Therapeutics as we work to develop groundbreaking cancer treatments."

According to the terms of the agreement, Servier will lead the development activities and global commercialization of BDTX-4933 across multiple indications, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with potential applications in other solid tumors. Black Diamond Therapeutics will receive a $70 million upfront payment and is eligible for up to $710 million in development and commercial sales milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties based on global net sales.

BDTX-4933 is currently in Phase 1 development. BDTX-4933 is specifically designed to target RAS and RAF alterations in solid tumors. The first-in-human study with dose escalation and cohort expansion aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, preliminary recommended Phase 2 dose, and anti-tumor activity of BDTX-4933 in adults with recurrent advanced/metastatic cancers carrying BRAF, CRAF, or NRAS mutations.