On March 23, 2015 GenVec reported that it has formed a collaboration with TheraBiologics to develop cancer therapeutics leveraging both GenVec’s proprietary gene delivery platform and TheraBiologics’ proprietary neural stem cell (NSC) technology (Press release, GenVec, MAR 23, 2015, View Source [SID:1234502469]).

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In exchange for an economic participation in the products being developed under the collaboration, GenVec will contribute technology, know-how, vector construction, and technical and regulatory support to the program. TheraBiologics will be responsible for all other development costs.

The initial goal of this collaboration is to generate a next-generation product candidate to TheraBiologics’ TBX02. TBX02 utilizes an established NSC line engineered to express a modified carboxylesterase enzyme that converts the prodrug CPT-11 (Irinotecan) to the potent chemotherapy agent SN-38, which is 1000x more toxic to cancer cells than CPT-11. GenVec’s proprietary adenovectors will be used to provide important manufacturing and potency advantages to other adenovirus-derived vectors and will utilize well-defined production methodologies that have already produced clinical trial material for over 3,000 study patients.

"NSCs offer an unprecedented advantage of therapeutic specificity over conventional cancer treatments as a result of their inherent tumor-tropic properties," stated TheraBiologics founder and chief scientific officer, Karen S. Aboody, MD. "The NSCs selectively target invasive cancer sites resulting in tumor-localized chemotherapy production, sparing the rest of the body from toxic side effects. GenVec’s technology provides us with a well-validated process for modifying these cells to reach their full therapeutic potential."

"TheraBiologics has demonstrated the promise of NSC-mediated approaches to treat cancer and we believe that GenVec’s technology will greatly facilitate the development of these novel treatments," stated Douglas J. Swirsky, GenVec’s president and chief executive officer. "This collaboration is in line with our goal of building a pipeline of exciting opportunities that cost-effectively leverage our technology."

On March 23 Takeda and ImmunoGen reported that Takeda has licensed exclusive rights to use ImmunoGen’s ADC technology – including ImmunoGen’s new DNA-acting IGN payload agents – to develop and commercialize targeted anticancer therapeutics to up to two undisclosed targets (Press release, ImmunoGen, MAR 23, 2015, View Source [SID:1234502463]). The agreement also provides Takeda with the option to take a license for a third target for an additional upfront fee.

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ImmunoGen will receive $20 million upfront and – for each target – is eligible to receive milestone payments potentially totaling up to $210 million plus royalties on the commercial net sales of any resulting ADC products. Takeda is responsible for the development, manufacturing and marketing of any ADC products resulting from this agreement.

"Takeda shares our commitment to developing novel anticancer therapies that meaningfully improve the lives of patients, and we look forward to collaborating with them to create important new ADC product candidates," commented Daniel Junius, ImmunoGen President and CEO.

"ADC technology is a critically important tool in addressing unmet needs in oncology," said Christopher Claiborne, Ph.D., Head of the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit at Takeda. "By partnering with ImmunoGen, we are able to leverage this important technology in Takeda’s R&D program and bring novel agents through the clinic."

Takeda signed an agreement with ImmunoGen through its wholly owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ImmunoGen is not updating its guidance for its 2015 fiscal year at this time.