The phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of enzymes involved in cellular functions, including cell proliferation and survival, cell differentiation, intracellular trafficking and immunity. PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ are primarily restricted to cells of hematopoietic origin.
Intellikine's PI3Kδ/γ inhibitors have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in patient-derived lymphoma cells and cell lines. In addition, PI3Kδ/γ inhibitors exert indirect effects on the tumor microenvironment, such as survival factor signaling, neo-angiogenesis, motility and cellular infiltration, which may further contribute to efficacy against hematologic malignancies.
In July 2010, Intellikine announced a collaborative partnership with Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI), an innovative drug discovery and development company, under which Infinity obtained global development and commercialization rights to Intellikine’s portfolio of inhibitors of the delta and gamma isoforms of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K). Intellikine will contribute its portfolio of novel PI3Kδ-selective, PI3Kγ-selective, and PI3Kδ/γ dual-selective compounds, providing multiple opportunities to develop differentiated therapies against hematologic malignancies.
As part of its collaboration with Infinity, Intellikine retained strategic development and commercial rights in oncology. Specifically, for products directed primarily to oncology indications, Intellikine will have the option, at the end of Phase 2 clinical development and upon payment of an option fee, to convert its royalty interest in U.S. sales into the right to share in 50% of profits and losses on U.S. development and commercialization, and to participate in up to 30% of the detailing effort for these products in the United States. For more information, please see Partnering.