Janux Therapeutics announced a collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb to develop an undisclosed, tumor-activated therapeutic aimed at solid tumors. The program targets a validated solid tumor antigen that Janux said is expressed across multiple human cancer types, expanding the company’s platform reach in oncology while pairing its technology with Bristol Myers Squibb’s development and commercialization capabilities.
Under the collaboration structure, Janux will lead preclinical work through submission of an investigational new drug application. Bristol Myers Squibb will hold the IND and take over responsibility for subsequent development and global commercialization. Janux will remain involved by supporting Bristol Myers Squibb through completion of the first Phase 1 clinical study, creating a handoff model in which Janux advances the asset to the clinic and Bristol Myers Squibb drives later-stage execution and go-to-market activities.
Financially, Janux said it may receive up to $50 million in upfront and near term milestone payments. In addition, the company is eligible for development, regulatory, and commercial milestones totaling up to approximately $800 million in the aggregate, along with tiered royalties on global product sales.
The agreement lands as Janux continues to build a pipeline around its proprietary tumor-activated platforms, including its Tumor Activated T Cell Engager (TRACTr), Tumor Activated Immunomodulator (TRACIr), and Adaptive Immune Response Modulator (ARM) technologies. Janux currently has two TRACTr candidates in Phase 1 trials: JANX007, which targets PSMA and is being studied in adult patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, and JANX008, which targets EGFR and is being investigated across multiple solid tumor indications including colorectal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, non small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and triple negative breast cancer.
Beyond its two clinical-stage TRACTr programs, Janux said it is advancing additional CD3-based TRACTr and CD28-based TRACIr programs for future clinical development, including a PSMA TRACIr intended for combination use with JANX007, and a TROP2 TRACTr for TROP2-positive solid tumors. The company is also advancing its first ARM program candidate, a CD19 ARM for potential treatment of autoimmune diseases, toward clinical trials.
Janux cautioned that the release contains forward looking statements, including expectations about development timelines, regulatory filings, the potential benefits of its product candidates and platforms, and the possibility of receiving payments under the collaboration, noting that actual results could differ materially due to risks inherent in drug discovery and development and reliance on third parties for clinical execution.
KEY QUOTE:
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Janux, validating the strength of our tumor-activated platforms and expanding our reach in solid tumor oncology. By combining Janux’s innovative technology with Bristol Myers Squibb’s deep expertise in clinical development and global commercialization, we aim to accelerate the delivery of transformative therapies to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.”
David Campbell, Ph.D., President and CEO, Janux
