Incyte Corporation and AstraZeneca announced a new collaboration to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Incytes Janus-associated kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor, INCB39110, in combination with AstraZenecas next generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, Tagrisso (osimertinib). The combination will be assessed as a second-line treatment for patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have been treated with a first generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and subsequently developed the T790M resistance mutation. There is increasing evidence that signaling through the JAK-STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway could be a contributing factor in resistance to EGFR TKI treatment in patients with EGFR mutation NSCLC.

Blocking both JAK and EGFR activity may therefore offer an improved targeted treatment benefit in some patients. Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca and Incyte will collaborate on a Phase 1/2 study, to be conducted by Incyte. The Phase 1 part of the trial is expected to establish a recommended dose regimen for the combination of INCB39110 and Tagrisso while the Phase 2 part of the study will assess the safety and efficacy profile.

Results from the study will be used to determine whether further clinical development of this combination is warranted.