Incyte Corporation achieved US$ 50 million in milestones as part of the Incyte-Novartis collaboration and license agreement for INCB18424. Under the terms of the agreement, the initiation by Incyte of the joint global phase-III clinical trial evaluating INCB18424 for the treatment of polycythemia vera has triggered the milestone payments to Incyte. This trial, also referred to as Response, is being conducted by Incyte in the United States (US) and Novartis outside of the US.

Response is a global, randomized study of efficacy and safety in polycythemia vera patients who are resistant or intolerant of hydroxyurea. Response is expected to enrol approximately 300 patients worldwide. Response clinical sites in the United States (US) began enrolling in October. Novartis expects to initiate the ex U.S. clinical sites by year end. Further information about the trial may be found at www.responsetrial.com.

Incyte Corporation is a Wilmington, Delaware-based drug discovery and development company focused on developing proprietary small molecule drugs for oncology and inflammation.