Gilead Opts In On Multiple Arcus IO Candidates, Setting Up Combo Therapy Plans

Gilead Sciences, Inc. has elected to take three options under its May 2020 immuno-oncology collaboration with Arcus Biosciences, Inc., updating the deal in a way that will bring Arcus $725m in option fees and give Gilead the ability to explore multiple IO combinations, including ones that may include its own drugs and investigational candidates, such as its breast cancer therapy Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan).

“The early options by Gilead also enable us to access and benefit from the clinical, commercial and global resources of a much larger partner,” Arcus CEO Terry Rosen told an 18 November investor call. “Gilead exercising all three options now provides us with a tremendous amount of certainty and clarity, enabling us to go full-steam ahead on our shared clinical development plans