Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) Inc. is providing an exclusive license to GSK plc for a preclinical bispecific T-cell engaging antibody along with the option of three additional bi- and multispecific TCE antibodies developed by Wuxi. In exchange, Wuxi will receive an up-front payment of $40 million and up to $1.46 billion in additional payments for research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones across the four TCE antibodies. Wuxi Biologics, of Shanghai, is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.
Janux Therapeutics Inc. has announced that it has submitted an IND application to the FDA for JANX-008, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tumor-activated T cell engager (TRACTr) in development for the treatment of EGFR-expressing solid tumors, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
Researchers from Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH have developed bispecific T-cell engaging receptor (TCER) molecules consisting of an affinity maturated TCR, a humanized T cell-recruiting antibody and an Fc-part conferring half-life extension and favorable stability characteristics.
To build on its hematology pipeline in treating blood cancers, Astrazeneca plc is acquiring Teneotwo Inc. in a deal that could reach $1.27 billion. Teneotwo is part of Ancora Biotech LLC, which has some other affiliate Tens in the stable, including Teneofour Inc. That company is developing TNB-738, an anti-CD38 enzyme inhibitor. Teneoten Inc. is developing an anti-HBV/CD3 therapy. Both are available for partnering or sale, Ben Buelow, Ancora co-founder, told BioWorld. He co-founded the company with this father, Roland.
CDR-Life Inc. has closed a $76 million series A round to advance development of a new generation of cancer immunotherapies designed to treat solid tumors by targeting intracellular antigens that occur only in tumors, with the aim of increasing effectiveness while reducing off-target effects.
Sanofi SA is paying about $1 billion up front and pledging as much as $225 million in development milestone payments to acquire Amunix Pharmaceuticals Inc. in an arrangement that brings aboard several immuno-oncology platforms. South San Francisco-based Amunix’s lead candidate is the clinic-bound, masked T-cell engager (TCE) AMX-818, which targets HER2-expressing solid tumors. The candidate emerged from the company’s XPAT technology, designed with the longstanding XTEN and centered on a protein polymer in a strategy similar to pegylation, except with a polypeptide. XPAT stands for XTENylated, protease-activated TCEs.
Soteria Biotherapeutics Inc., a company developing switchable bispecific T-cell engagers to treat patients with solid tumors, has raised $42 million in series A financing to fund early development of a pipeline of candidates with potential in validated cancer targets, it said. Roche Venture Fund and 5AM Ventures led the round, with further investments from M Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund and Alexandria Venture Investments.
The sad phase III fate of Abbvie Inc.’s rovalpituzumab tesirine, also known as rova T, in advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has not discouraged other drug developers targeting delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) – not all of them, anyway.
Five years after its initial investment in Maverick Therapeutics Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is exercising its option to buy the privately held company for a pre-negotiated up-front payment plus development and regulatory milestones of up to $525 million.
