Research & Development
AbbVie and Tentarix Biotherapeutics have announced that they have entered a multi-year collaboration focused on the discovery and development of conditionally active, multi-specific biologic candidates in oncology and immunology.
The collaboration is intended to utilise AbbVie’s expertise in oncology and immunology with Tentarix’s proprietary Tentacles platform.
Jonathon Sedgwick PhD, senior vice president and global head of discovery research at AbbVie, commented: “Oncology and immunology are two of our key strategic growth areas where we are pursuing novel technologies that aim to deliver transformative therapies, which address unmet patient needs. This strategic partnership complements our ongoing efforts in developing novel biologics, potentially to expand our oncology and immunology portfolios with conditionally active multi-specific molecules.”
Don Santel, interim chief executive officer at Tentarix Biotherapeutics, added: “We are excited to join forces with AbbVie to help accelerate cutting-edge, conditionally active therapeutic programmestowardsclinicalapplicationsforpatients in need. This collaboration adds to our portfolio of internal and external pipeline programmes and is a strong validation of our approach in understanding and targeting complex immune interactions that drive cancers and inflammatory diseases.”
According to the press release: ‘Under the terms of the agreements, Tentarix will receive upfront option payments, totaling $64m from AbbVie, for the two programmes. AbbVie will receive an exclusive option to fully acquire the programmes following candidate nomination, for an additional undisclosed payment for each programme’.