IDEAYA Biosciences Soars 10.63% on Servier Partnership for Uveal Melanoma Treatment

IDEAYA Biosciences' stock surged 10.63% in pre-market trading on September 2, 2025, driven by a significant partnership with Servier for the development and commercialization of darovasertib, a potential first-in-class treatment for uveal melanoma.

IDEAYA Biosciences has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Servier for darovasertib, a potential first-in-class treatment for uveal melanoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer. Under the agreement, IDEAYA will receive $210 million upfront and up to $320 million in milestone payments, plus double-digit royalties on net sales. The partnership grants Servier regulatory and commercial rights for darovasertib outside the United States, while IDEAYA retains U.S. rights. The drug, which has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations, is being evaluated in multiple global clinical trials, including three Phase 3 registrational trials targeting neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic settings.

This licensing agreement represents a substantial financial boost for IDEAYA Biosciences, securing an immediate $210 million upfront payment with potential for an additional $320 million in milestone payments plus double-digit royalties on net sales outside the US. The structure of this deal is particularly advantageous as it allows IDEAYA to retain its valuable US rights while leveraging Servier's global infrastructure for international commercialization. The partnership creates a capital-efficient development pathway for darovasertib through cost-sharing arrangements for ongoing clinical trials. This includes three Phase 3 registrational trials targeting different treatment settings (neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic) for uveal melanoma—a rare eye cancer with limited treatment options. The shared development costs will significantly reduce IDEAYA's burn rate while accelerating the global clinical program.

From a regulatory perspective, darovasertib has already received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for neoadjuvant therapy and Fast Track designation in combination with crizotinib for metastatic uveal melanoma. These designations, along with its Orphan Drug status, highlight the drug's potential to address critical unmet needs and may expedite its path to market. The upcoming data readout for the Phase 2/3 trial (expected between year-end 2025 and Q1 2026) represents a crucial near-term catalyst. Positive progression-free survival results could significantly enhance darovasertib's commercial prospects and trigger milestone payments. This deal transforms IDEAYA's financial trajectory, extending its cash runway while maintaining significant upside through US commercialization rights and milestone/royalty income from global markets.