Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:NASDAQ:LPTX), a biotechnology company focused on developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, today announced that BeiGene (NASDAQ:BGNE)'s option under the Exclusive Option and License Agreement between Leap and BeiGene granting rights in certain Asian territories to DKN-01, Leap's anti-DKK1 monoclonal antibody, has expired in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Leap and BeiGene will continue to collaborate on the ongoing Part C of the DisTinGuish trial, a randomized controlled trial of DKN-01 in combination with BeiGene's anti-PD-1 antibody, tislelizumab, and chemotherapy in first-line gastric cancer patients, as a clinical collaboration with BeiGene supplying tislelizumab. Enrollment in the 160-patient study is expected to be completed in late 2023.
"We look forward to continuing to collaborate with BeiGene to execute on our first randomized controlled trial for DKN-01 in first-line gastric cancer patients," said Douglas E. Onsi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Leap. "With global rights to DKN-01 and a cash runway that was enhanced into mid-2025 by our recent acquisition of Flame Biosciences, we will look to identify a new strategic partner as we generate new clinical data from our ongoing studies in first-line gastric cancer patients, second-line colorectal cancer patients, and an investigator-sponsored study in endometrial cancer patients. We will also continue the development of the newly-acquired Claudin18.2 programs as part of our focus on biomarker-targeted antibody therapies for cancer patients, particularly those with GI cancers."