Under normal function, the body`s neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) genes are involved in the growth and development of nervous tissue, initially during embryonic development and subsequently in nerve function related to appetite, proprioception (the ability to sense the orientation of your body relative to your environment), memory formation and pain regulation. When these NTRK genes fuse with other unrelated genes, however, an altered protein is formed called tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK). This becomes a driver of cancer in a broad range of tumor types across both pediatric and adult patients, and these resulting cancers are known as TRK fusion cancers.
Stamford, Connecticut, based Loxo Oncology (LOXO) is developing therapies for patients with genetically defined cancers. The company is focused on cancers that are uniquely dependent on single gene abnormalities. The FDA is expected to announced its decision on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, on the company`s lead compound, larotrectinib, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors harboring an NTRK gene fusion. The FDA had accepted Loxo`s submission in May 2018 and had granted Priority Review designation with a target action date of Nov. 26, under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). The FDA has also granted Breakthrough Therapy, Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designations to larotrectinib.
In November 2017, Loxo entered into a global collaboration with Bayer (BAYRY) to develop and commercialize larotrectinib and LOXO-195, Loxo`s next generation TRK inhibitor. Bayer paid Loxo $400 million upfront, a significant but reasonable amount given the late stage of development for larotrectinib, and Loxo is eligible to receive up to an additional $1.15 billion in clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments.
LOXO stock has traded off its spring/summer highs after a strong performance in the first half of the year. The stock briefly breached the $200 level on positive news from its LOXO-292 candidate in treating RET-altered cancers. The RET (REarranged during Transfection) kinase is involved in multiple cellular processes, including differentiation, growth, migration and survival. Similarly to TRK fusions, RET fusions and point mutations have been shown to drive tumor growth in multiple cancer types, including about 60% of medullary thyroid cancer incidences. While biotechs have traded lower as a group this fall, the pullback in LOXO seems to be overdone given the strength of the larotrectinib data and the breadth of the pipeline targeting other single gene abnormalities.
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