Roche and Nurix partner to co-develop and co-commercialise BTK degrader bexobrutideg
- Nurix receives an upfront cash payment of USD 700 million and may receive up to USD 2.3 billion in total milestones.
- Bexobrutideg, an oral, brain‑penetrant BTK degrader, is planned to enter Phase 3 for second‑line CLL in summer 2026.
- Development costs split 40% Nurix / 60% Roche; U.S. profits and losses shared equally; Roche commercialises outside the U.S. with royalties to Nurix in the low‑ to high‑teens.
- Combined NHL and CLL market projected to reach $41 billion by 2031; BTK inhibitors expected to be ~$19 billion of that market.
Deal structure
Roche and Nurix will co‑develop and co‑commercialise bexobrutideg (NX‑5948). Nurix will receive an upfront USD 700 million and is eligible for development, regulatory and sales milestones for a potential total of up to USD 2.3 billion. Development costs will be shared 40% by Nurix and 60% by Roche. The parties will equally split U.S. profits and losses; outside the U.S., Roche will commercialise and Nurix will receive royalties ranging from the low‑ to high‑teens. Closing is expected in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions.
Clinical plan and timeline
The collaboration covers B‑cell malignancies, immunology and neurology. Bexobrutideg is planned to start a Phase 3 trial in summer 2026 for second‑line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The programme will also investigate indications such as chronic spontaneous urticaria and multiple sclerosis.
Drug profile and rationale
Bexobrutideg is an oral, brain‑penetrant targeted BTK degrader that eliminates BTK protein — removing both kinase activity and scaffolding function — which could overcome resistance mechanisms seen with conventional BTK inhibitors and potentially offer improved efficacy and tolerability.
Market context
The combined non‑Hodgkin lymphoma and CLL market is projected to reach $41 billion by 2031, with BTK inhibitors expected to account for about $19 billion; the CLL sector alone is forecast to grow from $12 billion in 2024 to $16 billion by 2035.
Source: Roche
