On January 4, 2019 BioNTech AG, a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing precise and individualized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and the prevention of infectious diseases, reported that it has extended its research collaboration with Sanofi initiated in late 2015 and Sanofi is investing* EUR 80 million (approximately USD 91.5 million) in equity in BioNTech (Press release, BioNTech, JAN 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234532446]).
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Simultaneously BioNTech has entered into an agreement with Sanofi to co-develop the first cancer immunotherapy candidate from the collaboration that is entering clinical testing in multiple solid tumors. This follows BioNTech’s decision from early 2018 to exercise one of its option rights under the 2015 research collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize this product candidate with Sanofi.
The investigational therapy consists of an mRNA mixture encoding immunomodulatory cytokines that are injected directly into the tumor. Local administration of immunotherapies to the tumor microenvironment provides the opportunity to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses against tumors, while potentially avoiding toxicities related to systemic administration of immuno-modulatory therapeutics.
"The extension of the research collaboration and equity investment demonstrates a deepening of our partnership with Sanofi as we seek to rapidly drive novel, disruptive programs through clinical testing to commercialization together," said Prof. Dr. Ugur Sahin, Co-Founder and CEO of BioNTech. "We are pleased that with this program we have moved from concept to clinical stage in well under three years."
"We are pleased to be initiating clinical testing of our first mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy in collaboration with our partners at BioNTech," commented Yong-Jun Liu, Global Head of Research, Senior Vice President R&D, Sanofi. "Our joint team, consisting of scientists and clinicians from both Sanofi and BioNTech, has worked tirelessly to expedite development of this new and innovative clinical candidate because targeted mRNA therapies may have the potential to be effective for cancer patients. We look forward to continuing a productive partnership with BioNTech in the years to come."