Zymeworks, Inc. is getting a significant infusion of cash and a commercial partner in a deal with Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc for the HER2-targeted bispecific antibody zanidatamab, while Jazz is gaining a drug that expands the range of targeted solid tumors in its portfolio. But one analyst questioned the size of the deal relative to the therapy’s projected revenue potential.
Jazz and Zymeworks announced the deal on 19 October, whereby Zymeworks will receive $50m up front and a second payment of $325m at Jazz’s option, after a readout of top-line clinical data from the Phase II HERIZON-BTC-01 trial of zanidatamab in patients with HER2-positive second-line biliary tract cancer (BTC), should Jazz decide to continue the collaboration