TESARO and AnaptysBio Expand Immuno-Oncology Collaboration to Include Novel Bispecific Antibody Candidate

On December 2, 2014 TESARO and AnaptysBio reported an expansion of their immuno-oncology collaboration and exclusive license agreement to include development of a novel bispecific antibody candidate designed to target two undisclosed immune checkpoints (Press release TESARO, DEC 2, 2014, View Source [SID:1234501050]).

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AnaptysBio and TESARO first initiated their collaboration in March of 2014, and have together focused on the development of monospecific antibody drug candidates targeting TIM-3, LAG-3 and PD-1 and dual reactive antibody drug candidates targeting PD-1/TIM-3 and PD-1/LAG-3. Since the beginning of this partnership, Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling preclinical studies of TSR-042 (anti-PD-1 antibody candidate) have been initiated, and additional clinical candidates have been identified, including lead candidates targeting TIM-3 and LAG-3.

"Through our collaboration with AnaptysBio, we are employing a variety of approaches, including monospecific, bispecific and dual specific antibodies, to address some of the most validated and promising immune checkpoint targets," said Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., president and COO of TESARO. "We are committed to advancing the science of immuno-oncology in order to potentially transform the care of patients with cancer. Our team looks forward to continued collaboration with AnaptysBio on these programs and to the presentation of data describing our anti-TIM-3 antibody candidate at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference later today in Orlando."

"AnaptysBio continues to focus on the development of therapeutic antibodies for unmet medical needs in immuno-oncology, inflammation and fibrosis. Our strategic advantage is the ability to rapidly discover and develop therapeutic antibodies against emerging biological targets using the natural somatic hypermutation mechanism encoded within the human immune system," said Hamza Suria, president and CEO of AnaptysBio. "We are pleased to expand our collaboration with TESARO, and look forward to advancing multiple immuno-oncology antibodies into the clinic."

Under the terms of this expansion, TESARO will pay AnaptysBio an undisclosed upfront fee and will provide funding for all costs incurred by AnaptysBio related to the development of a clinical antibody candidate. For each program within the collaboration, AnaptysBio is eligible to receive milestone payments if certain research and development events are achieved and additional payments for achievement of certain U.S. and ex-U.S. regulatory submissions and approvals in multiple indications. AnaptysBio will also be eligible to receive royalties related to worldwide net sales of products developed under the collaboration, and may earn certain commercial milestone payments if specified levels of annual worldwide net sales are attained. AnaptysBio and TESARO will together complete preclinical development of the antibody candidates, with TESARO being solely responsible for all clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial activities.