Date: 2017-08-03
Type of information: Research agreement
Compound: oncology drug discovery programs based on engineered toxin bodies (ETB) technology platform
Company: Molecular Templates (USA - TX) Takeda Pharmaceutical (Japan)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: research - licensing
Action mechanism:
- immunotoxin. Engineered Toxin Bodies (ETBs) are a next-generation recombinant immunotoxin scaffold based on the Shiga-like toxin A subunit (SLT-1A) specifically directed to cancer cells via antibody fragment binding domains. ETBs can induce internalization into cells even against non- or poorly internalizing targets.
Payloads (proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecules) can be genetically or chemically conjugated to ETBs to allow for extracellular targeting and intracellular delivery. ETBs can deliver foreign class 1 antigens for processing and presentation in complex with MHC class I molecules on the surface of target cells. Seeding of foreign antigens in a tumor cell for surface expression is a novel approach to immuno-oncology. Data from the repeat administration of ETBs in animal models and supports the potential for their use in solid tumor settings. Molecular Templates' lead compound, MT-3724, is the first immunotoxin to CD20 to enter the clinic and is currently in a phase I study for refractory NHL.
Disease:
Details:
- • On August 3, 2017, Takeda Pharmaceutical and Molecular Templates announced a collaboration agreement for oncology drug discovery programs. The collaboration will apply Molecular Templates’ engineered toxin bodies (ETB) technology platform to potential therapeutic targets provided by Takeda through a joint scientific committee of both companies. Takeda and Molecular Templates have already been working on a program that Takeda havs the option to in-license. This collaboration opens the door to extend this partnership.
- Under the agreement, Takeda will appoint a Director to Molecular Templates’ board of directors. Additional terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. Takeda signed this agreement through its wholly owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals.
Financial terms:
- Under the terms of the agreement, Takeda will make an equity investment and Molecular Templates is eligible to receive upfront payments, development and commercial milestone payments, Takeda has agreed to royalties on the sales of commercial products developed through the collaboration.
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Is general: Yes
