NewLink Genetics Announces Exclusive Worldwide Licensing Agreement for Development of NLG919, an IDO Inhibitor in Phase 1, and Research Collaboration for the Discovery of Next Generation IDO/TDO Inhibitors

On October 20, 2014 NewLink Genetics reported that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for the development of NLG919, NewLink’s IDO pathway inhibitor (Press release NewLink Genetics, OCT 20, 2014, View Source [SID:1234500850]). The parties also entered into a research collaboration for the discovery of next generation IDO/TDO compounds.

Under the terms of the agreement, NewLink will receive an upfront payment of $150 million. NewLink will be eligible to receive in excess of $1 billion in milestone payments based on achievement of certain predetermined milestones as well as escalating double-digit royalties on potential commercial sales of multiple products by Genentech.

Genentech will fund future research, development, manufacturing and commercialization costs. Genentech will also provide research funding to NewLink for support of the research collaboration. NewLink will continue to pursue development activities associated with NLG919 in combination with its novel HyperAcute vaccine platform.

NewLink will retain the option for co-promotion rights for NLG919 and potential next generation IDO/TDO compounds in the U.S. The completion of the agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

“This alliance enables us to accelerate and expand development of NLG919 while we continue to advance our other promising clinical and preclinical development programs,” said Dr. Charles Link, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLink. “Genentech’s oncology development expertise, commercial leadership and history of successful strategic alliances make it an ideal collaborator to bring the potential benefits of NLG919 to patients.”

“We are intrigued by the biology of the IDO and TDO compounds and are very interested in the potential to combine them with Genentech’s portfolio of novel therapies,” said James Sabry, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Genentech Partnering. “We are delighted to have initiated this significant partnership with NewLink. We hope this collaboration will lead to new therapies for people with cancer.”