IDEAYA Biosciences Receives US FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Darovasertib Monotherapy in Neoadjuvant Uveal Melanoma

Core Insights - IDEAYA Biosciences has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for darovasertib, a potential first-in-class PKC inhibitor, aimed at treating adult patients with primary uveal melanoma who are recommended for enucleation [1][2] Group 1: FDA Designation and Clinical Trials - The Breakthrough Therapy designation will facilitate the advancement of darovasertib into a potential Phase 3 registrational trial for primary uveal melanoma [2][6] - The application for BTD was supported by interim clinical data from an ongoing Phase 2 trial, showing an 82% ocular tumor shrinkage rate and a 61% eye preservation rate in patients [4][8] - A Phase 3 registrational study is targeted to be initiated in the first half of 2025, focusing on neoadjuvant darovasertib for patients eligible for enucleation or plaque brachytherapy [5][8] Group 2: Market Potential and Unmet Needs - Neoadjuvant uveal melanoma has an estimated annual incidence of approximately 12,000 patients in North America, Europe, and Australia, representing a significant unmet medical need with no FDA-approved systemic therapies currently available [5][8] - The FDA has also granted Fast Track designation for darovasertib in combination with crizotinib for metastatic uveal melanoma, with an ongoing Phase 2/3 trial [3][4] Group 3: Company Overview and Strategy - IDEAYA Biosciences focuses on precision medicine in oncology, aiming to discover and develop targeted therapeutics using molecular diagnostics [7] - The company integrates capabilities in identifying translational biomarkers with drug discovery to select patient populations most likely to benefit from its therapies [7]