Bayer's Vividion Acquires Rights to Covalent WRN Inhibitor

Highlights

• Vividion Therapeutics secures exclusive global rights to VVD-214, the only clinical-stage covalent WRN inhibitor, from Roche.
• VVD-214 is under phase 1 evaluation for MSI-high cancers, both as monotherapy and with Keytruda.
• Early clinical data presented at AACR indicate promising signs of efficacy.
• Bayer continues to expand its oncology portfolio through Vividion's chemoproteomics platform.
• Details of the financial agreement were not disclosed, and Eikon Therapeutics is pursuing a competing candidate.

Exclusive Control of VVD-214 Transferred from Roche

Bayer's subsidiary, Vividion Therapeutics, has officially secured exclusive global rights to the covalent Werner helicase (WRN) inhibitor, VVD-214 (also known as RO7589831), from its partner Roche. This compound is currently the only clinical-stage covalent WRN inhibitor under development worldwide.

The asset transfer stems from the ongoing collaboration between Vividion and Roche that began in 2020. According to the announcement on June 4, “Vividion and Roche have collaborated on the candidate, known as VVD-214 or RO7589831, as part of their 2020 partnership. The drug is designed to damage the DNA of cancers by inhibiting WRN, a DNA repair enzyme.”

Clinical Evaluation in MSI-High Cancers

VVD-214 is being assessed in a phase 1 clinical trial, both as a standalone therapy and in combination with Keytruda. The focus is on treating solid tumors exhibiting high microsatellite instability (MSI-high), a genetic defect characterized by an impaired ability to correct DNA replication errors. Indications under investigation include colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, and gastric cancers.

“VVD-214 is currently being evaluated in a phase 1 study as a monotherapy and in combination with Keytruda for patients with solid tumors that have high microsatellite instability—where cells have a defect in the ability to correct mistakes that occur when DNA is copied in the cell—such as colorectal, endometrial, ovarian and gastric cancers,” the original report detailed.

Encouraging Early Data Shared at AACR

At the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in April, early clinical data revealed initial signs of efficacy in targeted cancers. These preliminary findings support Vividion's plans to accelerate development.

“Early data from the study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in April showed early signals of efficacy in these cancers, Vividion said in a June 4 release.”

Strategic Move to Strengthen Oncology Pipeline

Vividion's CEO, Dr. Aleksandra Rizo, emphasized the importance of acquiring VVD-214, calling it “an incredibly exciting moment for Vividion.” She added, “We are eager to progress development of this compound, building on the encouraging clinical data we've seen to date, as part of our mission to transform treatment for patients with cancer and other serious diseases.”

Dr. Christian Rommel, Global Head of Research and Development at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, commented, “VVD-214 is showing promising potential to improve treatment options for patients suffering from MSI-high cancers, a population with high unmet medical need.” He further noted that this asset “underscores the ability of Vividion's chemoproteomics technology to identify and advance new treatment opportunities for challenging and intractable diseases.”

Deal Terms Unspecified, Broader Pipeline in Focus

Although Vividion did not disclose financial terms of the asset transfer, the company's acquisition by Bayer in 2021 for $1.5 billion underlines the strategic value placed on its innovative capabilities. Vividion's pipeline also includes other clinical-stage assets such as an oral KEAP1 activator, a STAT3 inhibitor for solid and hematologic malignancies, and a RAS-PI3Kα inhibitor for advanced solid tumors.

“Bayer bought California-based Vividion for $1.5 billion back in 2021. Beyond VVD-214, Vividion's clinical-stage pipeline also includes an oral KEAP1 activator in a phase 1 study for solid tumors, an oral STAT3 inhibitor in solid and hematologic malignancies, and an oral RAS-PI3Kα inhibitor in advanced solid tumors.”

Competitive Landscape

While Vividion and Roche have pioneered the clinical advancement of a covalent WRN inhibitor, competition is emerging. Eikon Therapeutics is reportedly developing a rival candidate aimed at treating MSI-high and other DNA repair–deficient cancers.

“While Vividion and Roche were the first to get a covalent WRN inhibitor into the clinic, Eikon Therapeutics is working on its own candidate, which the biotech also hopes could be aimed at MSI-high and other DNA repair–deficient cancers.”