We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Collaboration to Promote Development of Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics for Cancer and Inflammation

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Sep 2015
Print article
Two biomedical development companies have agreed to a joint program to promote research and commercialization of bispecific monoclonal antibodies for immunotherapy of cancer and inflammation.

A bispecific monoclonal antibody (BsMAb, BsAb) is an artificial protein that is composed of fragments of two different monoclonal antibodies and consequently binds to two different types of antigen. The most widely used application of this approach is in cancer immunotherapies, where BsMAbs are engineered that simultaneously bind to a cytotoxic cell (using a receptor like CD3) and a target such as a tumor cell to be destroyed. Cancer immunotherapy with ordinary monoclonal antibodies does not activate T-lymphocytes because this type of cell does not possess Fc receptors, so the Fc region cannot bind to them, and the Fab regions are already used for binding the tumor cells. Bispecific antibodies have a higher cytotoxic potential, as they bind to antigens that are expressed relatively weakly.

The biomedical development companies Amgen (Thousand Oaks, CA, USA) and Xencor, Inc. (Monrovia, CA, USA) have entered into a research and license agreement to develop and commercialize novel therapeutic applications for bispecific antibodies.

The partnership links Amgen's capabilities in target discovery and protein therapeutics to Xencor's XmAb bispecific technology platform. The program will focus on five programs proposed by Amgen that leverage XmAb bispecific Fc domains to make half-life extended T-cell engagers and dual targeting bispecific antibodies. The agreement also includes a preclinical bispecific T-cell engager program directed at CD38 and CD3 for multiple myeloma.

Amgen will be fully responsible for preclinical and clinical development and commercialization worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, Xencor will receive a 45 million USD upfront payment and up to 1.7 billion USD in clinical, regulatory, and sales milestone payments in total for the six programs.

"We are pleased to be joining forces with Xencor to expand our immuno-oncology and inflammation position by leveraging Amgen's antibodies and Xencor's bispecific antibody platform," said Dr. Sean E. Harper, executive vice president of research and development at Amgen. "We are especially excited about the T-cell engaging bispecific antibody directed against CD38, which complements Amgen's BiTE platform, while growing our hematology and oncology portfolio that includes two bispecific T-cell engager antibodies, BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) and AMG 330, as well as Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for relapsed multiple myeloma."

"Amgen, which has pioneered the use of bispecific antibodies, has chosen to access our XmAb bispecific technology for its robustness, long half-life, and the plug and play ease-of-development of our platform," said Dr. Bassil Dahiyat, president and CEO of Xencor. "This opportunity expands the reach of our technology with a partner that has proven experience in bispecifics and immuno-oncology. Xencor will continue to focus on its internal programs including its immuno-oncology XmAb bispecifics, XmAb14045 in acute myeloid leukemia and XmAb13676 in B-cell malignancies, which are expected to enter clinical development in 2016."

Related Links:

Amgen 
Xencor, Inc.



Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.