China-based CStone Pharmaceuticals (HKG: 2616) announced a strategic collaboration with compatriot firm Kindstar Global (HKG: 9960) to advance precision diagnosis and treatment in blood tumors. The partnership aims to enhance educational activities, promote the concept of precision detection and treatment, and improve the accessibility and standardization of genetic testing for IDH1 and other mutations in Chinese patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Collaboration Details
The collaboration focuses on boosting the performance and accessibility of ivosidenib, a first-in-class drug for IDH1-mutated cancers. Ivosidenib, developed by US biopharma Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc., is a potent, oral inhibitor of IDH1 mutations, which are present in various tumors including AML, cholangiocarcinoma, and glioma.
Drug Background
CStone entered into a licensing agreement with Agios in June 2018, securing exclusive development and commercialization rights for ivosidenib in Greater China. The drug received market approval in China in February 2022 for relapsed or refractory AML with IDH1 susceptibility mutations and was first prescribed in June 2022.-Fineline Info & Tech
