British drugmaker Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) has pulled out of a five-year deal with US biotechnology company Five Prime to develop experimental cancer drug FP-1039.

Buried in Five Prime’s fourth-quarter and annual 2015 results announced on Mar. 10 was the news that GSK had notified the company on Mar. 9 that it was planned to terminate the FP-1039 license and collaboration agreement with giving 180 days’ notice.

The US biotech firm said it will work with GSK to ensure completion of enrollment in the ongoing mesothelioma segment of the Phase 1b study and the return of the compound and program.

Five Prime added that it continues to be encouraged by the progress of the Phase 1b trial as mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer particularly associated with exposure to asbestos, could represent a potentially attractive market opportunity.

The disease has a high mortality rate and some 14,000 cases are diagnosed each year.

In March 2011, the biotech firm sold license rights for FP-1039 in the EU, US and Canada to Human Genome Sciences, a company GSK acquired the following year for $3 billion.

Earlier this year, Five Prime and GSK pulled the plug in January on a trial evaluating the drug for squamous non-small lung cancer, citing changing treatments from a rise in immuno-oncology agents and competition from new products reaching the market.

Five Prime still has a license and collaboration deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb signed last October for $1.74 billion. This agreement covers its colony stimulating factor 1 receptor antibody program, which is being developed in certain immunology and oncology indications.