The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. announced a strategic research and development alliance to expand the evaluation of two of Turning Point's investigational small molecules focusing on precision medicine targets well known in oncology. The initial focus of the alliance will be Turning Point's lead drug candidate, repotrectinib, a next-generation kinase inhibitor targeting the ROS1 and NTRK oncogenic drivers of non-small cell lung cancer and advanced solid tumors that is currently being studied in a registrational Phase I/II study (TRIDENT-1). Alliance studies also will include elzovantinib (TPX-0022), a kinase inhibitor targeting MET, CSF1R and SRC, which is currently being studied in a Phase I trial of patients with advanced solid tumors harboring genetic alterations in MET (SHIELD-1).

The planned focus of the alliance will include monotherapy and potential combinations with other agents – including chemotherapy, immunotherapies and other targeted agents. The alliance brings together MD Anderson's clinical trial infrastructure and expertise with Turning Point's differentiated targeted oncology pipeline. Under the terms of the alliance's agreement, which spans a five-year period, collaborative preclinical and clinical studies will be conducted in several solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancers, gastrointestinal malignancies and endocrine cancers.

The collaborative studies will be overseen by a joint steering committee. Turning Point will provide funding, study materials and other ongoing support throughout the term of the alliance.