Biogen Idec, Sunesis, Takeda deal

Earlier this month, Sunesis in-licensed two preclinical cancer programs. Biogen Idec granted Sunesis exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize SNS-062, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor in preclinical testing. Sunesis said that SNS-062 may hold potential to treat B cell malignancies and other blood cancers. The company expects to submit an IND to FDA in about a year. SNS-062 was initially developed by the companies under an amended 2004 deal to use Sunesis' Tethering fragment-based drug discovery technology to generate small molecule leads against kinase targets. Sunesis said Biogen decided to out license SNS-062 as part of portfolio prioritization (see BioCentury, Sept. 13, 2004). ...