HOOKIPA Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharma company, has signed an oncology collaboration and license deal potentially worth around $940m for its HB-700 asset with Roche.
The duo will develop the arenaviral immunotherapy candidate for the treatment of KRAS-mutated cancers. The deal has an option for another undisclosed arenaviral immunotherapy candidate of HOOKIPA Pharma.
Through the partnership, HOOKIPA Pharma will carry out research and preliminary clinical testing for HB-700 up to phase 1b. Roche has the right to take over development duties after the phase 1b study is finished, and upon approval, to market licenced products for a variety of indications.
HOOKIPA Pharma CEO Joern Aldag said: “Roche is an ideal partner, both in terms of development and reaching patients with novel cancer therapeutics. We look forward to working with them to benefit people with KRAS-mutated cancers.
“This collaboration validates the potential of our arenavirus platform and accelerates the development pathway to bring new treatments to people with cancer.”
According to the terms of the agreement, HOOKIPA Pharma will be paid upfront an amount of $25m. The biopharma company will earn an extra $15m payment if the option for the second asset is exercised by Roche.
HOOKIPA Pharma is also entitled to milestone-based payments in research, development, and commercialisation for HB-700 and the second product candidate, totalling up to about $930m, including the option payment.
Upon commercialisation, the clinical stage company will be eligible to earn tier-based royalties on the global net sales of HB-700 and the additional product candidate that could range from a high single-digit to a mid-teens percentage.
Roche pharma partnering global head James Sabry said: “We are excited to collaborate with HOOKIPA in leveraging their arenaviral technology, which has clinically demonstrated the ability to induce potent antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses and represents a promising approach for new cancer immunotherapies.
“This collaboration further strengthens our leadership in oncology, and we are optimistic about advancing this innovative platform to potentially provide more options for people with KRAS-mutated cancers, as well as other potential cancer types.”
