GSK, Adaptimmune Partner in Cancer Drug Development Pact

Adaptimmune Limited, an UK-based biotechnology company developing T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells to treat cancer, has entered into a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the development and commercialization of its lead clinical cancer program.
 
Adaptimmune has created TCRs which are deployed to target the cancer testis antigen, NY-ESO-1, and other targets. The company's is conducting clinical trials in the NY-ESO-1 programmin multiple myeloma, melanoma, sarcoma, and ovarian cancer in the US and expects to begin European trials shortly.

Under the agreement, Adaptimmune will co-develop its NY-ESO-1 clinical program and associated manufacturing optimization work together with GSK. GSK will have an option on the NY-ESO-1 program through clinical proof of concept, anticipated during 2016, and, on exercise, will assume full responsibility for the program. The companies will also co-develop other TCR target programs and collaborate on further optimization of engineered TCR products.

According to the agreed development plan, the deal could yield payments in excess of $350 million to Adaptimmune over the next seven years, with significant additional development and commercialization payments becoming due in subsequent years if GSK exercises all its options and milestones continue to be met. In addition, Adaptimmune would also receive tiered royalties ranging from single to double digits on net sales. As part of its strategic commitment to the collaboration, Adaptimmune will immediately commence work on further TCR programmes with GSK.

Source: Adaptimmune

 

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