Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) announced a multi-year strategic development collaboration to expand the evaluation of REZLIDHIA®? (olutasidenib) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other hematologic cancers. The alliance brings together MD Anderson's clinical research expertise with Rigel's differentiated targeted molecule.

Under the strategic collaboration, Rigel and MD Anderson will evaluate the potential of olutasidenib to treat newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory (R/R) patients with AML, higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and advanced myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), in combination with other agents. The collaboration will also support the evaluation of olutasidenib as monotherapy in lower-risk MDS and as maintenance therapy in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. REZLIDHIA is a potent, selective, oral, small-molecule inhibitor of mutated IDH1 (mIDH1)1 designed to bind to and inhibit mIDH1 to reduce 2-hydroxyglutarate levels and restore normal cellular differentiation of myeloid cells.

RE ZLIDHIA is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. REZLIDHia and MD Anderson will jointly lead all clinical development efforts, which will be overseen by a joint steering committee. Rigel will provide $15 million in time-based milestone payments and study material over the five-year collaboration.

Rigel will retain all rights to its programs under the collaboration.