Vividion Therapeutics and Bayer Strengthen Oncology Pipeline with Exclusive Rights to Clinical-Stage WRN Inhibitor VVD-214
Vividion Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and a wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, announced today it has obtained exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize VVD-214 (RO7589831), a clinical-stage covalent inhibitor targeting Werner helicase (WRN). This addition enhances Vividion’s growing oncology pipeline, which focuses on difficult-to-drug targets.
Vividion Therapeutics Secures Global Rights to WRN Inhibitor VVD-214, Strengthening Oncology Pipeline
Vividion Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and subsidiary of Bayer AG, has announced it has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize VVD-214 (RO7589831), a clinical-stage covalent inhibitor targeting Werner helicase (WRN). This strategic move significantly bolsters Vividion’s oncology pipeline, which is centered on unlocking previously undruggable targets in cancer and immune-related diseases.
VVD-214 was originally discovered through a collaboration with Roche and has shown promise in early clinical studies. Preliminary data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting indicated that VVD-214 is well tolerated and demonstrates early signs of anti-tumor activity, particularly in tumors with high microsatellite instability (MSI).
Vividion Therapeutics WRN is a DNA repair enzyme and a synthetic lethal target in MSI-high cancers. By selectively inhibiting WRN, VVD-214 is designed to cause lethal DNA damage in tumor cells while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues.
Vividion Therapeutics Currently being evaluated in a Phase I trial, VVD-214 is being tested as both a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The drug represents a promising therapeutic option for patients with MSI-high cancers, a population with limited treatment options and high unmet need.
VVD-214 was originally discovered and developed under an exclusive worldwide collaboration and licensing agreement with Roche, initiated in 2020. The molecule exemplifies Vividion’s platform approach, leveraging chemoproteomics and precision discovery technologies to unlock high-value, previously inaccessible targets in cancer and immune disorders.
Vividion Therapeutics Initial data from a first-in-human clinical trial, presented at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, indicate that VVD-214 is well tolerated and shows early signs of anti-tumor activity. Vividion will lead further development of the molecule as part of its broader pipeline of investigational therapies.
WRN is a DNA repair enzyme and an emerging synthetic lethal target, particularly in cancers exhibiting high microsatellite instability (MSI). By selectively inhibiting WRN, VVD-214 is designed to induce lethal DNA damage in MSI-high tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
“This milestone is a pivotal step for Vividion,” said Dr. Aleksandra Rizo, Chief Executive Officer. “VVD-214 is the only clinical-stage covalent WRN inhibitor in development globally, and we are encouraged by the initial clinical data. We are committed to advancing this candidate as part of our mission to deliver transformative therapies for patients with cancer and serious immune disorders.”
VVD-214 is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial (NCT06004245) as both a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The trial targets patients with solid tumors characterized by MSI-high or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR), including colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, and gastric cancers. These cancers often become resistant to existing immunotherapies, highlighting the urgent need for new treatment options. Data presented by Dr. Timothy Yap of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated early signals of efficacy across multiple tumor types.
VVD-214 offers exciting potential for addressing the unmet needs of patients with MSI-high cancers, said Dr. Christian Rommel, Global Head of R&D at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division. “It also highlights the strength of Vividion’s chemoproteomics-driven discovery platform in delivering novel therapeutics for intractable diseases.
In addition to VVD-214, Vividion is advancing other Phase I candidates, including an oral KEAP1 activator for solid tumors, an oral STAT3 inhibitor for both solid and hematologic malignancies, and an oral RAS-PI3Kα inhibitor for advanced solid tumors. The company continues to expand its early-stage pipeline in oncology and immunology, driven by its proprietary discovery technologies.
