Sinapore-based S*BIO will restructure its collaboration and option agreement with California-based Onyx Pharmaceuticals, which the companies entered into in January 2009. As a result of the restructuring, S*BIO has regained North American and European rights to its novel JAK2 inhibitors, SB1518 and SB1578, from Onyx.  Following a successful and productive partnership with Onyx, S*BIO will now be in a position to drive the development of its lead JAK2 program independently.

Recent data from phase II clinical trials of SB1518 indicated promising clinical efficacy and good tolerability for the treatment of myelofibrosis (MF), an orphan indication with high unmet medical need.  SB1518 has also demonstrated clinical benefits in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. S*BIO plans to advance SB1518 and SB1578 expeditiously through clinical development, with pivotal trials for SB1518 anticipated to begin later this year.