On June 20, 2007 Innate Pharma S.A., a biopharmaceutical company developing new drug classes targeting innate immunity, reported it has entered into a in-licensing agreement with Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT), the oncology-focused development and commercialisation company, on novel Toll like receptor (TLR) agents (Press release, Cancer Research Technology, JUN 20, 2007, View Source [SID1234523388]).
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The agreement grants Innate Pharma exclusive and worldwide development and commercialisation rights to a panel of discovery stage toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) modulators to which CRT has exclusive intellectual property rights. At Innate Pharma, the new project will be known as IPH 32XX.
Agents that modulate TLR7 have significant potential for anti-tumour therapy and for the treatment of autoimmune and infectious diseases. Toll-like receptors are found on cells of the immune system and usually play a role in recognising invading pathogens. In cancer therapy, TLR modulators can be used to stimulate the immune system to attack tumours by generating an influx of cancer-killing NK and T cells and the release of inflammatory mediators.
The TLR7 modulators were originally developed by Cancer Research UK-funded studies led by Dr Caetano Reis e Sousa and Dr Sandra Diebold at Cancer Research UK’s London Research Institute. Innate Pharma will support a further programme of pre-clinical research into the agents in Dr Diebold’s laboratory at King’s College London.
CRT will receive an upfront payment, as well as development-based milestones and royalty payments on sales. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Dr Phil L’Huillier, CRT’s Director of Business Management said: "TLR7-targeting agents have great potential as cancer therapeutics. We’re delighted that Innate Pharma will be supporting the next steps towards hopefully realising that potential."
François Romagné, Innate Pharma’s EVP and CSO, said: "We now have two active TLR programs (IPH 31XX, a TLR3 agonist, and IPH 32XX, a TLR7 agonist) that have similar chemistry and that will use the same pharmacological/development platform. In addition, we have a new active collaboration with two leading research institutes that will help us to develop new TLR tools and expertise. Our ambition to become a significant player in the field of TLR pharmacology is materializing."
Hervé Brailly, Innate Pharma’s CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, added: "Consolidating our existing platforms of products by adding new programs from acquisition or in-licensing is part of our business strategy." He added: "This new acquisition is not going to dramatically change our cash horizon, which was 3 to 4 years of cash on hand at the end of 2006."