Sweden-based biotechnology firm Xspray Pharma has entered into a license agreement with Handa Therapeutics, the US arm of Taiwan-based specialty drug maker Handa Pharmaceuticals, granting Handa a non-exclusive license to certain Xspray patents.    

The license covers commercialisation of a dasatinib product in the US market and, at a later stage, selected Asian markets. Under the agreement, Xspray will receive up to a double-digit royalty on Handa’s net proceeds.   

This deal represents Xspray’s first out-licensing from its broad patent portfolio, marking an important milestone in capitalizing on its intellectual property assets. The company’s core strategy to develop and commercialise improved protein kinase inhibitor (PKI)-drugs using its patented HyNap technology remains unchanged.

Its lead product candidate Dasynoc awaits FDA approval with a PDUFA date of October 7, 2025. However, further licensing agreements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“The agreement confirms the value of our patent portfolio and demonstrates that our long-term work to build our comprehensive patent portfolio is paying off. As for the dasatinib market, I’m convinced that when Dasynoc is launched, it will be seen as the premium product in its market segment as it combines pH-independent absorption with lower dose strength and high precision, eliminating sensitivity to all acid-reducing agents,” said Per Andersson, CEO of Xspray Pharma.  

The agreement further ensures that Xspray’s planned launch of Dasynoc can proceed without being affected by any United States regulatory exclusivities that may be associated with Handa’s product. Handa’s dasatinib product has not yet been launched. 

Xspray Pharma is advancing several clinical-stage product candidates based on its innovative, patented HyNap technology platform, designed to develop enhanced versions of marketed PKIs—the largest segment in oncology, often associated with high drug costs. The company aims to establish itself as the market leader in improved PKIs for cancer therapy.

Xspray Pharma's lead drug candidate, Dasynoc, is an amorphous form of dasatinib, demonstrating bioequivalence at a 30 percent lower dose due to a better solubility profile. A key benefit is its compatibility with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly co-prescribed to patients with CML and ALL. The company is also building a robust product portfolio, including XS003-nilotinib (an optimized version of Tasigna) and XS008-axitinib (an optimized version of Inlyta) and XS025-cabozantinib (an optimized version of Cabometyx).