Gilead Sciences has signed an exclusive option and collaboration agreement with MacroGenics to develop bispecific antibodies using the latter’s DART platform.
Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will obtain an exclusive licence to develop and commercialise MGD024, an investigational bispecific antibody that binds to CD123 and CD3.
The potential drug is intended for the treatment of certain blood cancers, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
MacroGenics will receive an upfront payment of $60m and is eligible to receive up to $1.7bn in potential milestone payments in addition to royalties on net sales of the products.
The company will complete the ongoing Phase 1 study of MGD024, while Gilead may elect to exercise its option to license the programme at predefined decision points.
Gilead Sciences oncology clinical development senior vice president Bill Grossman said: “MacroGenics’ bispecific expertise naturally complements Gilead’s portfolio strengths in immuno-oncology and our growing haematology franchise.
“We believe MGD024, with its potential to reduce CRS and permit intermittent dosing through a longer half-life, could translate to more patient-friendly dosing and enhanced clinical outcomes for people living with AML and MDS.
“This partnership is the latest in our efforts to develop and advance transformative new cancer therapies as we deepen our portfolio across oncology indications.”
MacroGenics is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the bispecific antibody space and is experienced in applying its unique DART platform to develop novel therapeutics.
MacroGenics president and CEO Scott Koenig said: “Rapid advances over the last decade have made CD123 a very promising target in oncology research.
“Advancing our bispecific DART molecule, MGD024, through a strategic collaboration with the team at Gilead will accelerate our ability to drive further development of MGD024 to the potential benefit of people living with blood cancers.”
In a separate development, Gilead’s subsidiary Kite has received the European Commission (EC) approval for Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) to treat a type of lymphoma in adults.
The drug is indicated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) in adults, who relapse from first-line chemo-immunotherapy.
The approval is based on results from the Phase 3 ZUMA-7 study that evaluated a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy compared to SOC in the current patient population.
With the EC approval, Yescarta becomes the first CAR T-cell therapy to be approved in Europe, to treat patients who do not respond to first-line treatment, said the company.
