BeiGene Enters Global Licensing Agreement for MAT2A Inhibitor SYH2039 to Expand Solid Tumor Pipeline
BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE), a global oncology company soon to be renamed BeOne Medicines Ltd., has announced a global licensing agreement with CSPC Zhongqi Pharmaceutical Technology for SYH2039, a novel methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) inhibitor under development for treating solid tumors.
BeiGene is an oncology company focused on developing affordable and innovative cancer treatments for patients worldwide. With a broad pipeline of therapies that include small molecule inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, multi-specific antibodies, and PD-1 inhibitor TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab), the company is expanding its presence across solid tumor indications such as lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers.
SYH2039, licensed from CSPC, targets cancers with the MTAP deletion mutation, a genetic alteration where cancer cells lose the ability to produce an important enzyme called MTAP (methylthioadenosine phosphorylase). This loss disrupts normal methionine metabolism, a process cancer cells depend on for growth. The mutation creates a unique vulnerability in the tumor’s metabolism, allowing MAT2A inhibitors like SYH2039 to selectively block methionine production and starve cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
MTAP deletion is found in approximately 15% of all cancer types, including glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer, making it a promising target for new cancer therapies.
BGB-58067, BeiGene’s PRMT5 inhibitor, is designed to overcome the hematological toxicity seen in earlier inhibitors and is on track to enter the clinic by year-end. Its features include high potency, selectivity, and brain penetrability, making it a fitting candidate for combination therapy with SYH2039.
Under the agreement, BeiGene gains exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SYH2039. CSPC will receive:
- $150 million in upfront and time-based payments.
- Additional payments tied to development and commercial milestones.
- Tiered royalties on net sales.
BeiGene’s acquisition of SYH2039 reinforces its strategy to address high-burden cancers like lung, breast, and gastrointestinal tumors. The company is leveraging new approaches across modalities, including its PD-1 inhibitor TEVIMBRA, antibody-drug conjugates, multi-specific antibodies, targeted protein degraders, and small molecule inhibitors. By combining SYH2039 with assets like BGB-58067, BeiGene aims to advance treatment options for difficult-to-treat cancers.
Topics: Startups & Deals Novel Therapeutics
