Xencor and Bristol Myers Squibb Enter License Agreement for Use of Xtend™ XmAb® Technology in SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Combination for the Treatment of COVID-19

On May 25, 2021 Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies and cytokines for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported it has entered into a technology license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) under which Bristol Myers Squibb will have non-exclusive access to Xencor’s Xtend Fc technology to extend the half-life of a novel antibody combination therapy that is intended to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus ("SARS-CoV-2 mAb Duo") for treatment or prevention of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mAb Duo was discovered by researchers at The Rockefeller University and was subsequently licensed by Bristol Myers Squibb (Press release, Xencor, MAY 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234580573]). Phase 1 clinical evaluation to assess dosing and safety of the antibody combination is being conducted by investigators at Rockefeller University Hospital, while the initial Phase 2 and 3 studies are being planned as part of the NIH ACTIV-2 trial examining treatment of infected outpatients.

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"Xencor’s Xtend Fc domains have been incorporated into more than a dozen clinical-stage programs or commercialized medicines, including two programs under investigation for the treatment of COVID-19 and five for other infectious diseases," said Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Xencor. "This reflects the potential of Xencor’s XmAb protein engineering platforms to enhance the therapeutic performance of novel antibody candidates. By extending half-life, we improve upon a candidate’s product profile and potentially reduce costs – both of which are important features, particularly for an anti-viral therapy intended for pandemic use. We are committed to partnering with industry and the academic community to support the development of potential treatments for COVID-19, as well as other areas of urgent unmet medical need."

Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb will have sole responsibility for supporting and advancing the research, development, regulatory and commercial activities for SARS-CoV-2 mAb Duo. Xencor is eligible to receive royalties from net sales of products including these antibodies.

About Xtend XmAb Fc Technology

Xencor’s Xtend XmAb Fc domains have been shown to increase circulating half-life by increasing binding affinity to the receptor FcRn. FcRn is present inside lysosomes in endothelial cells lining the blood vessels and functions to rescue antibodies from the degradation that makes most proteins short-lived in circulation. Half-life extension can be exploited to potentially improve therapeutic antibody performance in several ways, such as increasing dosing interval or decreasing drug quantities at the same dosing interval compared to a parent antibody. Xtend technology is currently in multiple clinical-stage programs and one approved therapy, Alexion’s Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz).

Ultomiris is a registered trademark of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.