US-based biopharmaceutical company AbbVie has partnered with Xilio Therapeutics to develop novel tumour-activated, antibody-based immunotherapies.
The two companies signed a collaboration and option-to-license agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will develop novel tumour-activated, antibody-based immunotherapies, including masked T-cell engagers, using Xilio’s technology.
Xilio will receive $52m in upfront payments, including a $10m equity investment.
It is also eligible to receive up to $2.1bn in potential contingent payments for option-related fees and milestones plus tiered royalties.
AbbVie early oncology research and development vice president Theodora Ross said: “AbbVie is committed to expanding our R&D efforts in oncology. This partnership with the Xilio team further exemplifies our commitment.”
Xilio chief scientific officer Uli Bialucha said: “This collaboration with AbbVie, a global leader in developing and commercializing oncology therapies, allows us to accelerate the expansion of our technology to next-generation immunotherapies, including T-cell engagers.
“We look forward to working with the AbbVie team to apply our deep protein engineering expertise coupled with tumour-selective activation through our novel formats for masked T-cell engagers.”
Xilio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in discovering and developing tumour-activated immuno-oncology therapies for cancer.
It has developed a clinically validated platform technology for tumour-activated biologics.
The company is using its platform to advance a pipeline of novel, tumour-activated clinical and preclinical I-O molecules designed to optimise the therapeutic index
The therapeutics work by localising anti-tumour activity within the tumour microenvironment, including tumour-activated cytokines, antibodies, bispecifics and immune cell engagers.
In a separate development, AbbVie’s subsidiary Allergan Aesthetics has unveiled its plans to open three new advanced Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) training centres in the US.
The new AMI training centres are expected to expand access to high-quality, customised training to licensed aesthetics providers.
Building on AMI’s unique curriculum, together with AbbVie’s portfolio, the new training centres will help providers and business owners deliver better patient outcomes.
Allergan Aesthetics senior vice president Glen Curran said: “The new AMI Training Centers are designed to help expand and elevate our existing best-in-class training programs.
“The facilities will offer a range of courses for providers at every stage of learning helping them to safely and effectively deliver excellent outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.”
