What Checkpoint Therapeutics does

Checkpoint Therapeutics was a clinical-stage immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company developing targeted cancer therapies, with its lead asset UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl), an FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody indicated for adults with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The company operated a multi-candidate oncology pipeline that included Olafertinib (CK-101), a third-generation mutant-selective EGFR inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer; CK-103, a BET inhibitor for solid tumors; CK-302, an anti-GITR antibody; and CK-303, an anti-CAIX antibody targeting renal cell carcinoma. Core technology centered on proprietary monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule oncology agents, with the pivotal CK-301-101 trial demonstrating a 71% disease control rate and at least 50% objective response rate in advanced CSCC, including complete responses in 13% of metastatic and 26% of locally advanced patients.

The business model was structured around prescription drug sales of the FDA-approved UNLOXCYT asset following commercialization, supplemented by ongoing clinical development of earlier-stage pipeline candidates. Pre-commercial, the company was funded through registered direct equity offerings (notably $10M in May 2023 and $12M in July 2024) and operating support from parent company Fortress Biotech, a publicly traded holding entity. Headcount was reported at 11–50 employees, consistent with a pre-commercial biotech, and Checkpoint Therapeutics was listed on NASDAQ under ticker CKPT.

On March 9, 2025, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced an agreement to acquire Checkpoint for approximately $355 million, and the transaction closed on May 30, 2025. Fortress Biotech received approximately $28 million in cash plus a royalty interest on UNLOXCYT net sales. Following the acquisition, UNLOXCYT was commercially launched in the United States in January 2026 through Sun Pharma's established US commercial sales infrastructure, replacing Checkpoint's pre-existing go-to-market posture. The Checkpoint Therapeutics website now redirects visitors to Sun Pharma, and the company operates as a wholly owned subsidiary rather than an independent entity.

Name

Checkpoint Therapeutics

Legal name

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.

Website

https://checkpointtx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Checkpoint Therapeutics was a clinical-stage immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company that developed UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab), an FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 antibody for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, plus a pipeline of targeted oncology therapies. Acquired by Sun Pharma in May 2025 for ~$355 million.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Oncology & Hematologic Malignancy Therapies (HLAIAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics (HLAAAAAH)

Keywords

• Immuno-oncology therapies
• Oncology drug development
• Checkpoint inhibitors
• Monoclonal antibody therapy
• Targeted cancer therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl) Sales: FDA-approved drug for metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, commercially launched in US in January 2025, generating revenue through prescription drug sales

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Checkpoint Therapeutics is an immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes targeted therapies for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. Its flagship FDA-approved product, UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl), is an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody approved for adults with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). The company also maintains a pipeline of investigational oncology candidates, including an EGFR inhibitor (olafertinib/CK-101), a BET inhibitor (CK-103), and additional preclinical assets (CK-302, CK-303).

Product overview

Checkpoint Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted therapies for cancer. The company operates a multi-candidate oncology pipeline with one FDA-approved product (UNLOXCYT, an anti-PD-L1 antibody) and several earlier-stage programs including Olafertinib (3rd gen EGFR inhibitor), CK-103 (BET inhibitor), CK-302 (Anti-GITR), and CK-303 (Anti-CAIX). The company was acquired by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries in May 2025 for approximately $355 million. UNLOXCYT was commercialized in January 2026 for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl): FDA-approved immunotherapy drug for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Products and services

• UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl) FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody indicated for adults with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. Sold to healthcare providers and oncology specialists for administration in clinical settings.
• Olafertinib (CK-101) Investigational third-generation EGFR inhibitor being developed as an oral targeted therapy for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
• CK-103 Investigational BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) inhibitor in the company's oncology pipeline for solid tumor and hematologic indications.
• CK-302 Preclinical anti-GITR agonist antibody candidate in the immuno-oncology pipeline.
• CK-303 Preclinical anti-CAIX antibody candidate in the immuno-oncology pipeline targeting carbonic anhydrase IX-expressing tumors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 71% disease control rate and at least 50% objective response rate in pivotal CSCC trial
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Sun Pharmaceutical IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025Sun Pharma completed acquisition of Checkpoint Therapeutics on May 30, 2025. Deal valued at approximately $355 million, with approximately $28 million paid plus royalty interest on net sales of UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl). The acquisition expanded Sun Pharma's oncology portfolio with FDA-approved drug for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Bristol Myers Squibb: Markets Opdivo (nivolumab), an anti-PD-1 antibody approved across multiple oncology indications. A leading class competitor establishing the PD-1 standard of care that cosibelimab must differentiate against.
• Merck & Co. Developer of Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the dominant PD-1 inhibitor with broad oncology approvals including CSCC. Represents the major class incumbent that cosibelimab must compete against in the broader checkpoint-inhibitor market.
• Genentech (Roche): Developer of Tecentriq (atezolizumab), an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. Most direct mechanistic parallel to Checkpoint's anti-PD-L1 approach, though Tecentriq is approved across broader oncology indications rather than CSCC.
• AstraZeneca: Markets Imfinzi (durvalumab), an anti-PD-L1 antibody, and Tagrisso (osimertinib), a third-generation EGFR inhibitor directly competitive with Checkpoint's Olafertinib program targeting EGFR T790M resistance in NSCLC.
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries: Acquirer of Checkpoint Therapeutics in May 2025 for ~$355M. Comparable as the new parent of UNLOXCYT and as a broad-spectrum oncology and specialty pharma incumbent with US commercial reach.

Direct peers

• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Markets Libtayo (cemiplimab), an anti-PD-1 antibody FDA-approved for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma — the same indication as UNLOXCYT. Most direct head-to-head competitor for Checkpoint's approved asset in CSCC.

Others

• Fortress Biotech: Former parent holding company of Checkpoint Therapeutics. Comparable as the historical sponsor that retains royalty interest on UNLOXCYT net sales post-acquisition, providing direct economic exposure to Checkpoint's commercial trajectory.

Emerging players

• Incyte Corporation: Oncology-focused biotech with PD-1 inhibitor (retifanlimab) approved for Merkel cell carcinoma and other indications. Comparable as a similarly-sized oncology innovator competing in the immune checkpoint space.
• BeiGene (now part of BMS): Developed tislelizumab, a PD-1 antibody approved across multiple oncology indications. Comparable as a focused PD-1 challenger with similar positioning to cosibelimab in targeting established checkpoint-inhibitor indications.
• Summit Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology biotech developing ivonescimab, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody. Comparable as a checkpoint-pathway innovator pursuing differentiated mechanisms in the oncology immunotherapy space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Checkpoint Therapeutics