Exelixis, Inc. has entered an option and license agreement with BioInvent International AB to identify and develop novel antibodies for use in IO therapeutics, according to a press release.
“Expanding our biotherapeutics pipeline is a key strategic priority, and this agreement provides Exelixis with access to BioInvent’s antibody and cancer immunology expertise centered around the innovative F.I.R.S.T discovery platform, which rapidly screens samples from patients with cancer to identify antibodies and targets with promising therapeutic potential,” executive vice president, scientific strategy and chief scientific officer, Peter Lamb, Ph.D, said in the release.
Using the resources, it has acquired in antibody engineering and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technologies, and oncology therapeutics development and commercialization expertise, the companies hope to expand Exelixis’ catalog of antibody-based therapies and contributions to BioInvent’s cancer immunology and antibody biology research.
“Target and antibody discovery will be performed using BioInvent’s proprietary n-CoDeR antibody library and patient-centric F.I.R.S.T screening platform, which together allow for parallel target and antibody discovery,” a press release read.
Under the collaboration, BioInvent will be tasked with handling the initial target and antibody discovery activities. The company will also be responsible for the characterization of antibody mechanisms of action.
“BioInvent is committed to translating our expertise in cancer immunology and antibody mechanism of action into innovative IO therapies that can improve outcomes for patients,” said Martin Welschof, CEO, BioInvent, in the release.
The agreement will allow Exelixis to reserve the right to "in-license any of the target programs upon identification of a development candidate directed to that target." Under the terms of the deal, the company will pay BioInvent an upfront fee of $25 million in exchange for rights to choose three targets found using BioInvent’s proprietary F.I.R.S.T platform and n-CoDeR library.
“Exelixis has a demonstrated track record of success in both commercializing important new oncology medicines and establishing highly productive collaborations that integrate diverse and complementary skill sets and technologies,” Welschof said.
Exelixis will also work on developing and commercializing activities for the development candidate, including potential ADC and bispecific antibody engineering duties. It will now be eligible for success-based development and commercialization of the products.
“We believe this patient-centric and biology-driven approach has great potential to identify novel targets and enable the development of differentiated antibody-based IO therapies,” Lamb said.