GlaxoSmithKline has discontinued treatment with its ICOS agonist feladilimab in the Phase II INDUCE-3 trial upon the recommendation of the study’s data monitoring committee, another setback for the big pharma’s plans to become a major force in the cancer therapy area.

Acquisition is based on the prospects for Immunomedics’ Trodelvy, but regulatory changes, manufacturing challenges, and research dynamics could upset even the best-laid plans.

The company paid twice Immunomedics’ last closing stock price to access Trodelvy, approved for triple-negative breast cancer with potential in other solid tumors as monotherapy and in combinations.

Deal snapshot: Gilead’s latest significant cancer deal brings it a CCR8 binder, a novel preclinical immunotherapy, while Jounce finds a new deep-pocketed partner after the termination of its collaboration with Celgene.