Ipsen and Accent Therapeutics Announce $446M Global Collaboration to Develop METTL3 Inhibitor for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

On October 18, 2021, Ipsen and Accent Therapeutics announced a global exclusive collaboration agreement to advance the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of therapeutics targeting the RNA-modifying protein METTL3. Accent’s novel METTL3 small-molecule inhibitor is designed to treat specific subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a high unmet medical need.

AML is a difficult-to-treat cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Globally, the incidence of AML has demonstrated a steady year-on-year upward trend over the past two decades. RNA-modifying proteins (RMPs) represent an emerging class of therapeutic targets, offering novel strategies for the treatment of various cancers. METTL3 is an RMP whose potential as a novel therapeutic target for AML has been validated in preclinical studies. This collaboration combines Accent’s expertise in RMP-targeted therapeutics with Ipsen’s manufacturing and development capabilities.

One of the most prevalent modifications in mRNA is the methylation of adenine at the N6 position to form N6-methyladenosine (m6A). This modification is catalyzed by the METTL3/METTL14 methyltransferase complex. m6A is involved in regulating mRNA stability and turnover, and influences the translation of oncogenes. Previous studies have shown that knockout of METTL3 and/or METTL14 promotes differentiation and apoptosis in AML cancer cells, and has been demonstrated to play a critical role in the in vitro and in vivo growth of cancer cells.

Image source: Accent Therapeutics official website

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Ipsen has secured exclusive development rights to a METTL3 small-molecule inhibitor. Accent may receive a total of $446 million in upfront, preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and sales milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on future sales of the product.

References:

[1] Ipsen Adds Another Program Into Its Pre-Clinical R&D Oncology Pipeline Through an Exclusive Worldwide Collaboration With Accent Therapeutics, Targeting the RNA Modifying Protein, METTL3. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211017005063/en/Ipsen-Adds-Another-Program-Into-Its-Pre-Clinical-RD-Oncology-Pipeline-Through-an-Exclusive-Worldwide-Collaboration-With-Accent-Therapeutics-Targeting-the-RNA-Modifying-Protein-METTL3

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