Helsinn Group Gains Marketing Rights to BridgeBio’s Truseltiq in the US

Helsinn Group has amended its 2021 agreement with Bridgebio to obtain exclusive rights to market Truseltiq (infigratinib) in the US. Helsinn now has the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the cancer drug worldwide, except in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. The company can also advance the drug in other oncology indications outside skeletal dysplasias, which are abnormalities in bone and cartilage growth. 

The two companies originally collaborated over infigratinib in early 2021. Under the deal, BridgeBio could receive up to $2.45 billion if milestones are achieved, and could also receive royalties on adjusted net sales from Helsinn. 

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Indications for Truseltiq

Truseltiq is a selective inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) with highest affinity for FGFR1,2, and 3. 

In 2021, the two companies received accelerated approval from the US FDA for Truseltiq for the second-line treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare type of bile duct cancer. At the time, Truseltiq’s targeted population was limited to around 4,000 patients. This could change this year, as BridgeBio is expecting results from several studies that could expand Truseltiq’s addressable patient population. 

Truseltiq is being assessed as first-line treatment for FGFR2-altered cholangiocarcinoma and in the adjuvant setting for FGFR3-altered urothelial carcinoma. BridgeBio is also developing the drug in skeletal dysplasias for the treatment of patients with FGFR3-altered achondroplasia. 

Related Article: FDA Okays Second FGFR Inhibitor for Cholangiocarcinoma, Approves FMI’s CGP Test as Companion Diagnostic

Other Collaborations between BridgeBio and Helsinn 

Last November, the two companies established a separate partnership involving BridgeBio’s glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) inhibitor. GPX4 is an enzyme that protects cells from ferroptosis, a form of cell death, and is highly expressed in cancer tissue. According to a statement by Helsinn, a GPX4 inhibitor could target a patient population of around 500,000 patients. 

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Joy Lin

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