Myelofibrosis is linked to the faulty functioning of an enzyme known as Janus Associated Kinase 2 (JAK2), which can arise from certain gene mutations. The JAK family of proteins is a central component in certain cell signalling pathways needed for normal cell growth and healthy immune response. Vonjo, in a class of drugs known as JAK2 inhibitors, asserts its therapeutic benefit by modulating the action of JAK2 in a highly selective way.
The shareholders of CTI Biopharma Inc (CTI) are celebrating. CTI, a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company whose shares are listed on the US Nasdaq capital market, last month announced that it was being acquired by a large European healthcare company, Swedish Orphan Biovitrium AB (SOBI), in an all-cash transaction. The equity value of CTI at SOBI’s offer price of US$9.10 ($12) per share was US$1.7 billion. CTI specialises in the development and commercialisation of drug therapies for blood cancers.
A one-product company, CTI’s sole commercially approved drug, Vonjo (pacritinib), treats myelofibrosis, an uncommon form of bone marrow cancer leading to a severe lack of blood cells and is consequently associated with poor patient survival outcomes.
