US-based drugmaker AbbVie has signed a collaboration and option-to-licence agreement with EvolveImmune Therapeutics to develop multi-specific biologics for multiple targets in oncology.
The collaboration will combine EvolveImmune’s platform with AbbVie’s oncology expertise to develop multi-specific antibody therapeutics for cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, EvolveImmune will provide its EVOLVE T-Cell engager platform to develop novel antibody-based therapies for solid and hematologic cancers.
In exchange, AbbVie will pay EvolveImmune $65m in aggregate upfront fees and equity investment, up to $1.4bn in potential option fees and milestones, along with royalty payments.
AbbVie senior vice president and discovery research global head Jonathon Sedgwick said: “AbbVie is dedicated to advancing the understanding of devastating diseases like cancer and investing in groundbreaking technologies and therapeutic platforms, to deliver novel treatments for patients with high unmet needs.
“We are excited to collaborate with the talented team at EvolveImmune to further advance their novel T-cell engager platform technology.”
EvolveImmune is an immuno-oncology company developing a new class of precision cancer medicines to deliver superior patient outcomes compared to current anti-cancer therapies.
The company has validated new pathways to overcome CD8 T cell exhaustion in the tumour microenvironment.
Its in-house EVOLVE platform is designed to deliver potent, selective and integrated T-cell co-stimulation to develop and maintain the tumour-killing capacity of the T-cells.
The approach aims to avoid low tumour immunogenicity, conditionally activate adaptive immunity, and reduce T-cell dysfunction to address challenges, said EvolveImmune.
EvolveImmune CEO Stephen Bloch said: “This collaboration with AbbVie, a global leader in oncology, offers tremendous validation of the EVOLVE platform and the dedicated and creative work of the EvolveImmune team.
“We believe that EVOLVE, with its differentiated CD2 co-stimulation strategy, represents a potential next-generation, best-in-class T-cell engager platform and that our technology may offer clinically meaningful benefits for patients.”
Recently, AbbVie agreed to acquire Aliada Therapeutics, a biotechnology company treating neurological disorders, for a total equity value of $1.4bn.
