AstraZeneca’s MedImmune has inked a deal with Israeli group Compugen giving it access to the firm’s experimental bi- and multi-specific antibody products.
Bispecific antibodies are genetically engineered to simultaneously bind to two (bi-specific) or more (multi-specific) different types of antigen. They enable multiple mechanisms of action for treating disease within a single molecule.
Under the deal, MedImmune has gained the right to create multiple products, and will be solely responsible for all research, development and commercial activities.
In return, Compugen will receive a $10 million upfront payment and potentially up to $200 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestones for the first product, as well as tiered royalties on future product sales.
The firm would also receive additional milestones and royalties on any further products developed by MedImmune.
“This agreement with Compugen will support our abilities to generate novel immunotherapy targets which, coupled with MedImmune’s expertise in antibody engineering, can advance our goal of delivering treatments to meaningfully improve the lives of cancer patients,” said Ronald Herbst, vice president, Oncology Research & Development, MedImmune, commenting on the move.
