Lilly bets big on Ajax asset as early data show rapid JAK2 inhibitor activity in MF
Lilly’s up-to-$2.3 billion acquisition of Ajax Therapeutics is being justified by early AJX-101 data showing AJ1-11095, a Type II JAK2 inhibitor, produced rapid spleen size reduction and symptom improvement in pretreated myelofibrosis patients, with reductions in mutant JAK2 allele burden and a generally favorable safety profile though anemia and thrombocytopenia occurred; most patients remained on therapy, and the company plans a Phase 3 in second-line MF while expanding to other MF subtypes, signaling a potential challenge to Incyte’s Jakafi dominance and underscoring Lilly’s strategy to back de-risked, validated assets.
