Swiss biotech NBE-Therapeutics and Exelixis have inked a partnership to develop novel antibody-drug conjugates using NBE’s unique ADC platform. The startup will receive an upfront payment of $25 million and further development milestone payments. The agreement encompasses an exclusive option on multiple targets over a two-year term.
Based in Basel, NBE-Therapeutics is focused on developing next-generation, best-in-class ADCs targeting solid tumours as well as haematological malignancies. NBE’s platform improves upon older ADC platforms by delivering highly homogenous, stable and potent ADCs with immune-stimulatory function and potential for an improved therapeutic index in multiple cancer indications. The company’s technologies are used throughout the ADC discovery process, including Transpo-mAb Display for antibody discovery and SMAC-Technology for site-specific conjugation and ADC manufacture. NBE has also developed a proprietary PNUanthracycline-based, DNA-targeting toxin platform that yields highly potent and immune-stimulatory ADCs (iADCs).
The startup has signed a partnership agreement with Exelixis, a California based oncology-focused biotechnology company that strives to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers. Through their partnership, the companies aim to discover and develop multiple antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for oncology applications by leveraging NBE’s unique expertise and proprietary platforms in ADC discovery, including site-specific conjugation and novel payloads.
USD 25 million upfront payment
Under the terms of the agreement, Exelixis will make an upfront payment of $25 million to NBE in exchange for an exclusive option to nominate a defined number of target programs on NBE’s ADC platform over a two-year period. Together, the companies will seek to advance multiple ADCs into preclinical development with Exelixis contributing research and development support. For each individual target program, prior to filing an Investigational New Drug application, Exelixis will be able to exercise its option to an exclusive worldwide license, and afterwards, continue clinical development and commercialization activities for that target program. Upon exercise of any option, NBE will be eligible for development and commercialization milestones, as well as royalties on net sales of any potential products resulting from that target program.
(Press release / RAN)
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