BASEL, Switzerland, June 8, 2026
Roche announced a global licensing and collaboration agreement with Nurix Therapeutics to co-develop and co-commercialize bexobrutideg (NX-5948), an investigational Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) degrader with potential applications across B-cell malignancies, immunology, and neurology. The partnership expands Roche’s hematology pipeline while creating opportunities to explore the therapy in diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The agreement highlights growing industry interest in targeted protein degradation as a next-generation therapeutic approach capable of addressing limitations associated with traditional BTK inhibitors.
Bexobrutideg Aims to Overcome Resistance in Blood Cancers
Bexobrutideg is an orally available, brain-penetrant BTK degrader designed to eliminate the BTK protein rather than simply inhibit its activity. Unlike conventional BTK inhibitors, which block kinase function, the therapy harnesses the body’s natural protein degradation system to remove both the kinase and scaffolding functions of BTK. This mechanism may help overcome resistance mutations that often emerge during treatment with currently available BTK inhibitors. Roche and Nurix believe the therapy has the potential to become a best-in-class treatment for patients with B-cell malignancies, particularly those who experience relapse or treatment resistance. The drug is expected to enter a Phase 3 clinical trial in summer 2026 for second-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Expanding Opportunities Beyond Oncology
While BTK is a well-established target in hematologic cancers, it also plays a critical role in immune and neurological disorders. The collaboration will explore the potential of bexobrutideg in diseases such as chronic spontaneous urticaria and multiple sclerosis, where modulation of BTK signaling may offer therapeutic benefit. Because the degrader eliminates the entire BTK protein, researchers believe it could provide broader and more durable biological effects compared with existing BTK inhibitors. This cross-therapeutic strategy aligns with Roche’s efforts to strengthen its presence across oncology, immunology, and neuroscience through innovative treatment platforms.
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Deal Valued at Up to $2.3 Billion
Under the terms of the agreement, Nurix will receive an upfront payment of $700 million and is eligible for development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments that could bring the total value of the collaboration to $2.3 billion. Development costs will be shared, with Roche funding 60% and Nurix funding 40%. In the United States, both companies will co-commercialize bexobrutideg and equally share profits and losses. Outside the U.S., Roche will lead commercialization efforts, while Nurix will receive tiered royalties. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The partnership underscores confidence in the future of targeted protein degradation and the potential of bexobrutideg to address significant unmet needs across multiple disease areas.
Source: Roche press release
