On July 13, 2017 Aduro Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADRO), a biopharmaceutical company with three distinct immunotherapy technologies, reported that the company has earned a $2.0 million milestone payment under its worldwide licensing agreement with Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) for work supporting the preparation of an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for its anti-CD27 antibody (Press release, Aduro Biotech, JUL 13, 2017, View Source [SID1234519795]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "We are pleased with the progress being made on the pre-clinical development of the anti-CD27 antibody, which was created with our proprietary B-select monoclonal antibody technology and selected by Merck for continued development," stated Hans van Eenennaam, Ph.D., chief operational officer, Aduro Biotech Europe. "Aduro’s anti-CD27 antibody targets the CD27 co-stimulatory pathway, an important component in stimulating an anti-cancer immune response. We look forward to working closely with Merck in their effort to advance this promising and novel approach in the field of immunotherapy into clinical development."
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About CD27 and Aduro’s Anti-CD27 Antibody
CD27 is a co-stimulatory receptor expressed on different immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes and NK (natural killer) cells. It has been recognized as having an important role in priming, enhancing and sustaining a productive anti-cancer (CD8 T-cell) adaptive immune response. In preclinical studies, anti-CD27 activation in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition has demonstrated the ability to achieve complete tumor eradication.
In 2014, Merck, through a subsidiary, entered into a worldwide license agreement for the development and commercialization of CD27 antibody agonists. Aduro’s anti-CD27 antibody, which was identified with its proprietary B-select monocolonal antibody technology, targets a functional epitope on CD27 demonstrating potent activation of the CD27 co-stimulatory pathway in pre-clinical studies. As a part of the worldwide license agreement, and in addition to payments received, including the $15 million up-front payment, Aduro is eligible to receive future development, commercial and net sales milestone payments. In addition, Aduro is eligible to receive royalties in the mid-single digits to low teens based on any net sales of the product, if it is approved for marketing.