The VADA program targets the protein vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1), which is involved in the cell’s response to DNA damage and control of cell division. Elevated levels of VRK1 are correlated to poor prognosis in a variety of cancers. VRK1 has also been identified as a possible synthetic lethality target in tumors with low levels of the related protein VRK2, such as glioblastoma and neuroblastoma.
In August 2023, Sprint Bioscience licensed the global rights to the VADA program to Day One Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
Potential deal value: $316 million plus a single-digit royalty on the sale of a future drug from the program
