AstraZeneca has officially entered into a global licensing agreement worth up to $2 billion for Jacobio Pharma’s Pan-KRAS inhibitor candidate, JAB-23E73. This specialized compound is designed to target multiple KRAS mutation subtypes, which drive approximately 23% of all human cancers, including high-need cases like pancreatic, colorectal, and lung malignancies.
Under the definitive agreement, AstraZeneca gains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the drug globally, with the exception of mainland China, where both firms will collaborate. Jacobio is set to receive an upfront payment of $100 million, with eligibility for additional milestone payments totaling $1.915 billion, alongside tiered royalties on future net sales.
JAB-23E73 stands out due to its high selectivity, effectively inhibiting various KRAS mutations while sparing essential proteins like HRAS and NRAS. Preclinical data demonstrated significant tumor regression and a favorable safety profile through oral administration. Currently, the compound has advanced to Phase I clinical trials in both the U.S. and China, focusing on patients with solid tumors exhibiting KRAS alterations. This move reinforces AstraZeneca’s strategy to integrate precision medicine into its broader oncology portfolio to transform patient outcomes.