Tesaro: Play it again

Three former senior executives of MGI Pharma Inc. have reunited to build another cancer company focused on in-licensing compounds that have a well-known mode of action or target, well-defined clinical endpoints and the ability to be differentiated in the market. Their newco, Tesaro Inc., already has its first asset, a CINV candidate that doesn't carry the potential for drug-drug interactions like Emend aprepitant from Merck & Co. Inc.

Prior to its acquisition by Eisai Co. Ltd. for $3.9 billion in cash in 2008, MGI acquired three companies and executed a half dozen in-licensing and/or co-promotion deals, including North American rights to Aloxi palonosetron from Helsinn Healthcare S.A...