Though Incyte has hopes of improving on its blockbuster JAK inhibitor Jakafi with the JAK2 V617F mutation-selective INCB160058, at the same time it appears to be hedging its bets. On Tuesday Incyte gained an option to acquire Prelude Therapeutics’ JAK2 V617F inhibitor programme, for $35m in up-front cash and a $25m equity investment. Incyte will pay $100m if it exercises the option. The move might signal a lack of confidence in INCB160058, whose phase 1 readout has been pushed back from 2025 to the first half of 2026. Still, Prelude’s project looks well behind, still being at the preclinical stage. There are only a handful of other JAK2 V617F inhibitors in development, according to OncologyPipeline, with preclinical assets also being developed by Cogent and Eilean Therapeutics. Incyte has more shots at defending its myelofibrosis franchise, for example with INCA033989, an antibody against mutated CALR protein, which recently showed early promise in essential thrombocythemia; initial data in myelofibrosis, with an without Jakafi, are due at ASH in December. The group is also developing an anti-mutCALR T-cell engager, INCA035784, which recently entered phase 1. Incyte will need something else to pick up the slack fairly soon: Jakafi could face generic competition in 2028. JAK2 V617F inhibitors in developmentProjectCompanyStatusNoteWP1066 (oral)*Moleculin BiotechPh2 in glioblastomaInvestigator-sponsored trialINCB160058IncytePh1 in myeloproliferative neoplasmsProof-of-concept data due H1 2026 (had once been expected in 2025)UnnamedPrelude TherapeuticsPreclinicalIncyte paid $35m up front + $25m equity investment for option to acquire; $100m payable if Incyte exercises optionUnnamedCogentPreclinicalPreclinical data at ASH 2025; IND submission due 2026ET-XX1Eilean TherapeuticsPreclinicalIn IND-enabling studiesWP1066 (IV)*Moleculin BiotechPreclinicalEmory University studying various IV formulations; preclinical data due H2 2025Note: *binds to both JAK2 & JAK2 V617F. Source: OncologyPipeline.
Though Incyte has hopes of improving on its blockbuster JAK inhibitor Jakafi with the JAK2 V617F mutation-selective INCB160058, at the same time it appears to be hedging its bets. On Tuesday Incyte gained an option to acquire Prelude Therapeutics’ JAK2 V617F inhibitor programme, for $35m in up-front cash and a $25m equity investment. Incyte will pay $100m if it exercises the option. The move might signal a lack of confidence in INCB160058, whose phase 1 readout has been pushed back from 2025 to the first half of 2026. Still, Prelude’s project looks well behind, still being at the preclinical stage. There are only a handful of other JAK2 V617F inhibitors in development, according to OncologyPipeline, with preclinical assets also being developed by Cogent and Eilean Therapeutics. Incyte has more shots at defending its myelofibrosis franchise, for example with INCA033989, an antibody against mutated CALR protein, which recently showed early promise in essential thrombocythemia; initial data in myelofibrosis, with an without Jakafi, are due at ASH in December. The group is also developing an anti-mutCALR T-cell engager, INCA035784, which recently entered phase 1. Incyte will need something else to pick up the slack fairly soon: Jakafi could face generic competition in 2028.
JAK2 V617F inhibitors in development
| Project | Company | Status | Note |
|---|
| WP1066 (oral)* | Moleculin Biotech | Ph2 in glioblastoma | Investigator-sponsored trial |
| INCB160058 | Incyte | Ph1 in myeloproliferative neoplasms | Proof-of-concept data due H1 2026 (had once been expected in 2025) |
| Unnamed | Prelude Therapeutics | Preclinical | Incyte paid $35m up front + $25m equity investment for option to acquire; $100m payable if Incyte exercises option |
| Unnamed | Cogent | Preclinical | Preclinical data at ASH 2025; IND submission due 2026 |
| ET-XX1 | Eilean Therapeutics | Preclinical | In IND-enabling studies |
| WP1066 (IV)* | Moleculin Biotech | Preclinical | Emory University studying various IV formulations; preclinical data due H2 2025 |
