At a Glance
- Companies: Amgen; Disc Medicine, Inc.
- Location: Thousand Oaks, California (Amgen); Waltham, Massachusetts (Disc)
- Deal value: Up to $618 million including upfront/research funding, milestones and royalties
- Focus area: Undisclosed cancer target; Disc’s expertise in erythroferrone (ERFE) and iron regulation pathways
- Next steps: Develop cancer therapies using Disc’s biological insights; preclinical proof‑of‑concept
What happened?
Amgen has entered a collaboration with Disc Medicine to develop cancer therapies focused on an undisclosed target that Disc has identified using its platform. Disc receives upfront and research funding, plus up to $618 million in preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, along with royalties on net sales.
Why does it matter?
Iron dysregulation is increasingly implicated in cancer progression, with erythroferrone (ERFE)—a hormone that suppresses hepcidin to mobilise iron for erythropoiesis—potentially enabling tumour growth through excess iron availability. Disc’s deep expertise in ERFE, hepcidin modulation (e.g. DISC‑0974, DISC‑3405) and red blood cell biology positions it to uncover novel oncology applications, helping Amgen differentiate in a crowded immuno‑oncology landscape.
Who’s behind it?
Disc Medicine is a clinical‑stage hematology specialist advancing ERFE inhibitors like bitopertin (phase 3 for erythropoietic protoporphyria) and hepcidin modulators for anemia and polycythemia vera. Amgen, with a broad oncology pipeline including bispecifics and bispecifics, seeks external innovation to address cell surface targets and protein communities.
How was it achieved?
The partnership leverages Disc’s cell‑surface proteomics and protein community mapping to validate the target, with Amgen funding discovery and gaining rights to resulting therapies while Disc retains opt‑in for hematology indications if applicable.
What’s next?
The companies aim to translate Disc’s biological insights into innovative cancer therapies, with preclinical data potentially supporting clinical advancement and expansion.
What are people saying?
Disc CEO John Quisel highlighted the deal’s role in “accelerating our shared goal of delivering better outcomes for patients”. Amgen views it as tapping Disc’s “unique capabilities” for previously inaccessible targets.