Date: 2015-01-12
Type of information: R&D agreement
Compound: bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) antibody constructs
Company: Amgen (USA - CA) The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA - TX)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: R&D
Action mechanism: BiTE® antibody constructs are recombinant proteins consisting of two separate antibodies held together by a flexible peptide linker or bands of amino acids. The antibodies are designed to function as a link between T cells and cancer cells. One antibody or protein domain binds to the cancer cell’s surface, while the other binds to the CD3 on the T cell, resulting in the malignant cell’s death. It is thought that BiTE® antibody constructs may be engineered to target a range of tumors. Last December, the FDA has granted approval of Blincyto™ (blinatumomab), Amgen\'s first BiTE® antibody, for the treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Disease: myelodysplastic syndrome
Details: * On January 12, 2015, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Amgen have announced a research collaborative agreement focusing on Amgen’s bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) antibody constructs, an immunotherapy that serves as a “bridge” between T cells and cancer cells. The research agreement will identify targets for BiTE® therapy in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow disorder in which the body does not produce sufficient healthy blood cells. The collaboration’s innovative approach will draw on the expertise of MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, which aims to accelerate the conversion of scientific discoveries into clinical advances and significantly reduce cancer deaths.
The collaborative agreement will allow Amgen and MD Anderson to join forces in a research partnership that aims to take new drug development from “A to Z”. The agreement provides for joint development of new agents under pre-determined terms. Amgen retains all commercial rights, while MD Anderson is eligible to receive milestones and royalties upon successful achievement of key objectives.
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