Date: 2012-12-17
Type of information: R&D agreement
Compound: small molecule toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to be used as anti-cancer immunotherapy
Company: 4SC Discovery (Germany) BioNTech (Germany)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: R&D
licensing
Action mechanism: Toll-like receptors represent a promising target class for cancer immunotherapy. They represent a kind of alarm system in the human body. The activation of this alarm system, for instance by 4SC\'s small molecule substances (TLR agonists), results in the stimulation of the immune system and a release of messenger and signaling molecules in the body, including interferons as well as other cytokines and chemokines. Applying a TLR agonist in combination with a chemotherapeutic drug, results in the destruction of the primary tumour bulk by the chemotherapeutic agent, while the activated immune system can achieve a final \'clean up\' of undetectable tumour remainders which are otherwise often the cause for a later relapse of the disease. A further advantage of TLR agonists lies in the combination with various forms of vaccines.
Disease: cancers
Details: 4SC AG, a discovery and development company of targeted small molecule drugs for autoimmune diseases and cancer, has announced that its fully-owned research subsidiary 4SC Discovery GmbH has entered into an exclusive worldwide research and license agreement with biopharmaceutical company BioNTech. This spin-off of Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz researches and develops novel immune-based technologies to boost the body's immune system for the targeted treatment of numerous cancers. BioNTech also researches, develops and manufactures diagnostics for the detection of cancer, based upon identification of selectively expressed biomarkers. The goal of the agreement is the development and commercialisation of 4SC's new small molecule toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists as an anti-cancer immunotherapy. One year ago, 4SC has transfered almost the entire early-stage research activities of the company to this 100% subsidiary and this agreement is the first licensing partnership of 4SC Discovery.
Financial terms: Under the agreement, 4SC Discovery will receive from BioNTech an upfront payment of € 2.5 million for its small molecule TLR agonists to be used as an anti-cancer immunotherapy. The programme is currently in early development. BioNTech will receive an exclusive license for worldwide marketing and commercialisation rights of the TLR agonists for use in cancer immunotherapy and in other therapeutic areas. 4SC Discovery is eligible for shares of sublicensing proceeds of BioNTech, payments for specific sales milestones as well as for royalties linked to product net sales.
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