Sobi Seals $580M Deal for Cancer Drug Lacutamab

Sobi has entered into a significant licensing agreement with Innate Pharma, potentially valued at up to $580 million, for the development and commercialization of lacutamab, a drug candidate for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

An initial $75 million upfront payment from Sobi will support Innate Pharma's commencement of the confirmatory Phase III TELLOMAK-3 study. This pivotal trial aims to provide the necessary data for lacutamab's full approval in two CTCL subtypes: Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides.

Under the agreement, Innate Pharma grants Sobi exclusive global rights to commercialize lacutamab upon securing accelerated approval. Furthermore, Sobi gains worldwide development rights if the Phase III trial yields positive results. The deal includes additional potential payments of $40 million for near-term development milestones and up to $465 million for full development rights, alongside future regulatory and commercial achievements.

Innate Pharma is pursuing accelerated approval for lacutamab in Sézary syndrome, a rare and aggressive form of CTCL, leveraging encouraging outcomes from the Phase II TELLOMAK study. This study demonstrated durable responses and a favorable safety profile in patients with heavily pre-treated CTCL.

Lacutamab is a first-in-class medicine designed to target killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DL2 (KIR3DL2), a protein frequently overexpressed in CTCL patients, thereby modulating immune cell activity. The therapy has already garnered Fast Track and PRIME designations from regulatory bodies in the US and Europe, respectively.

CEO Jonathan Dickinson of Innate Pharma highlighted the advancement into Phase III as a "pivotal moment" for the company's presence in the oncology market. He also noted upcoming milestones for other drug candidates, IPH4502 and monalizumab, anticipated in 2026.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by the accumulation of abnormal T-cells in the skin, leading to various skin afflictions. Recent years have seen advancements in CTCL treatment, including the approvals of drugs like Adcetris and romidepsin.