International law firm Simmons & Simmons has advised Eisai, a global leading research-based pharmaceutical company, on its recently announced licence and collaboration agreement with Nuvation Bio, a US-based biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative oncology therapies.
Under the agreement, Eisai has been granted exclusive rights to develop, register and commercialise taletrectinib, a next-generation targeted drug that blocks the enzymes which help cancer cells grow for the treatment of ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The rights will apply across territories including Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and India.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvation will be eligible to receive upfront and regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to €195 million, as well as royalties based on future sales.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of novel cancer therapies, leveraging the expertise of both organisations, with a view to bringing the innovative medicine to market as quickly as possible.
A Marketing Authorisation Application for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC is expected to be filed in Europe in the first half of 2026, with additional filings then planned for Canada and other regions
The Simmons & Simmons team was led by Joel Smith (IP Transactions, partner), Allison Swinbank (IP Transactions, associate) and Melissa Fisher (IP Transactions, associate), with support from David Trapp (Antitrust), Christian Taylor (Corporate) and Linda Zeman (Corporate).
Joel Smith commented: "We are delighted to have supported Eisai on this important transaction, which marks a significant step in advancing innovative oncology treatments. Our life sciences sector expertise and partnering experience was central to supporting Eisai and we congratulate both parties on completing this significant transaction."
