The initial deal between Gilead and Arcus gave the larger drugmaker rights to an experimental drug called zimberelimab, which attacks cancers using the same mechanism as Keytruda, along with an option to license the four projects covered by Thursday’s announcement.
In June, Arcus announced positive early findings from a Phase 2 trial of zimberelimab and its lead anti-TIGIT agent, called domvanalimab, in previously untreated lung cancer. That trial tests zimberelimab, which targets a protein called PD-1, against a combination of zimberelimab and domvanalimab, and another regimen of both drugs along with an additional Arcus drug called etrumadenant. Etrumadenant is also part of the deal announced Thursday.
