On June 5, 2018 The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer – Commercialization of Research (IRICoR) and its host institution, the Université de Montréal (UdeM) reported that they have entered into a research collaboration with AbbVie, a global research and development-driven biopharmaceutical company, in order to identify Tumor-Specific Neoantigens (TSNA) based on a novel proprietary platform developed by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault, both of whom are Principal Investigators at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal (Press release, IRICoR, JUN 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234626500]).
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Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will fund certain research activities at the IRIC to identify TSNA in a specific cancer indication. AbbVie will obtain an option to secure an exclusive worldwide license on the intellectual property arising from the collaboration.
"We are very pleased to have been able to successfully conclude an agreement with AbbVie around the identification of TSNA that are of mutual interest to both AbbVie and to IRICoR," stated Dr. Steven Klein, Vice-President, Business Development of IRICoR. "Having a partner such as AbbVie validates the novel approach that Drs. Perreault and Thibault have developed to identify TSNA across multiple tumor types, and demonstrates the value of IRICoR in initially funding this unique platform. This is the second platform technology supported by IRICoR and developed by Drs. Perreault and Thibault that has been advanced towards commercialization. The first one is based on the identification of Minor Histocompatibility Antigens which has been licensed to SpecificiT, a Montreal-based immunotherapy-focused company."
"AbbVie is truly excited about this partnership because it provides a real opportunity to identify new antigens that are produced in cancer cells, which the immune system can recognize. Drs. Perreault’s and Thibault’s work consists of developing technologies to identify these specific proteins at the surface of cancer cells and their approach is quite novel. It’s an area of immuno-oncology we are eager to investigate in order to accelerate and discover new therapies," explains Dr. Thomas Hudson, VP, Head of Oncology Discovery and Early Development, AbbVie.
"Drs. Perreault’s and Thibault’s research will undoubtedly have a remarkable impact on how we treat cancer. Ultimately, AbbVie looks for innovative partnerships and partners who are pushing the boundaries of science in order to tackle the toughest challenges in oncology," says Stéphane Lassignardie, General Manager, AbbVie Canada.