BMS inks deal with F-star Alpha, and has the exclusive option to obtain their HER2-Targeted Therapy

WASHINGTON - Oct. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has announced their plans to enter into an agreement with F-star Alpha Ltd. giving them the option to obtain the worldwide rights to FS102, a novel Phase 1 ready Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy. BMS is set to make payments accumulating to $50 million in upfront fees, this includes the option to acquire F-star Alpha Ltd.,  along with licensing rights for FS102. This deal may eventually expand to $475 million if the treatment becomes available in the US and European markets. The development of this therapy is geared towards treating breast and gastric cancer among a distinct population of HER2-positive patients who are unresponsive or have become resistant to current therapies.

FS102 has the potential to eradicate cancer cells through an innovative mechanism of action in a biomarker-defined patient population.  The therapy possesses the unique ability to overcome resistances against other HER2-targeted drugs by binding to a unique site on HER2 and induces programmed cell death in HER2-positive cells. From preclinical studies conducted, FS102 established optimistic efficacy against certain HER2-positive cancers and major regression in tumors which includes those that are refractory to treatment with trastuzumab plus pertuzumab.

“This agreement is consistent with our R&D strategy to develop promising treatments that address areas of high unmet medical need, and provides the opportunity to complement our oncology portfolio with a novel targeted therapy,” saidFrancis Cuss (http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=ht...), MB BChir, FRCP, executive vice president and chief scientific officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We look forward to working with F-star and leveraging our broad clinical expertise in oncology to uncover the full potential of FS102.”

“We are thrilled that a company with the oncology experience and expertise of Bristol-Myers Squibb will be advancing our first clinical asset with the potential to provide a significant improvement over the current standard of care for a defined group of patients with HER2-positive cancer,” said John Haurum, M.D., D.Phil., chief executive officer at F-star Biotechnology Ltd. “In addition to the important improvement of cancer therapy FS102 may provide to patients, this program also provides validation of the Modular Antibody Technology platform as a powerful engine to discover and rapidly develop novel targeted biologics.”

CANDIDATES WHO WANT TO BREAK INTO PHARMACEUTICAL SALES!
This acquisition represents Bristol Myers Squibb’s continual effort to expand on their immuno-oncology pipeline and explore more treatment options in areas of unmet medical need. With such industry leaders paving the way on identifying new beneficial therapeutic breakthroughs, they will need both certified and qualified individuals to promote their diversified product portfolio. When industry leaders look for new candidates for sales/marketing positions, they look toward individuals that are industry trained. Companies are looking for people that have the background to promote their product both proficiently and efficiently.

The NAPSRx® is a trade association for pharmaceutical sales reps, sales managers and sales trainers who work in the pharmaceutical industry. NAPSRx® provides Continuing Medical Education to its members as well as CNPR® Certification to candidates who look to enter a pharmaceutical sales career. The CNPR® Program represents a level of industry achievement and a demonstrated knowledge of pharmacology, medical terminology, pharmaceutical selling guidelines, physician selling techniques and industry standards. Upon successful completion of the training each student will receive the Certification Mark of the CNPR®.

Individuals that are interested in becoming a Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) can contact the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives(NAPSRx) for more information or visit the website at http://napsronline.org/