Licence agreed
BioInvent International AB of Lund, Sweden, and its Belgian partner ThromboGenics NV of Leuven have sealed a licence agreement with Roche for their jointly developed anti-cancer agent TB-403, a novel monoclonal antibody which blocks placental growth factor (PIGF), one of the growth factors responsible for the development of new blood vessels.
Under the terms of the agreement Roche will make an upfront payment to BioInvent and ThromboGenics of €50 million. In addition, the two companies could receive up to €450 million in development and commercial milestones for multiple indications, as well as double-digit royalties on potential product sales.
ThromboGenics, founded by Professor Désiré Collen from KU Leuven, which discovered TB-403, will receive 60 per cent of the revenue from the deal and BioInvent 40 per cent. Roche will have a worldwide, exclusive licence to develop and commercialise TB-403, while BioInvent and ThromboGenics will have co-promotion rights in the Nordic, Baltic and Benelux regions.
Roche will assume responsibility for all future development costs, including the pending Phase Ib trial. The three partners will form a joint steering committee to oversee research and development activities. In addition, Roche will also provide funding to BioInvent and ThromboGenics for research on non-cancer indications and supply of clinical material until transfer of manufacturing.
TB-403 (Anti-PIGF) has completed an initial Phase I clinical trial and recently received approval to enter a Phase Ib dose escalation trial in Denmark in patients with advanced cancer. The product is a humanised monoclonal antibody that blocks the formation of the new blood vessels that are needed by solid tumours to support their growth.
Svein Mathisen, CEO of BioInvent, said “We believe that TB-403 has great potential for the treatment of cancer, with its unique mode of action targeting PlGF, and are delighted that Roche has recognised this potential.”
“This agreement demonstrates our ability to identify innovative projects and to realise the clinical potential of a therapeutic antibody.”
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