Adimab announced the expansion of an earlier multi-target research agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Adimab and Regeneron commenced an initial agreement in December 2014, under which Adimab committed to build a custom common light chain antibody library uniquely for Regeneron and to discover and optimize antibodies against six targets chosen by Regeneron. Thus far, Regeneron has exercised its option for commercial rights to antibodies against one of the six targets. These antibodies are currently undergoing further preclinical research. Under the expanded agreement, Adimab will discover and/or optimize antibodies against six additional targets, and Regeneron will have the right to develop and commercialize any therapeutic program resulting from the collaboration.
“Regeneron is clearly one of the leading biopharma companies in the industry,” said Tillman Gerngross, CEO and Co-Founder of Adimab. “Regeneron was very sophisticated in how they leveraged our unique antibody engineering capabilities which may enable therapeutic development against traditionally difficult-to-address targets. We are looking forward to an expanded partnership with this science-minded company.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Adimab will use its proprietary yeast-based antibody platform to discover and/or optimize fully human antibodies against up to six additional Regeneron-selected targets. Adimab will receive near-term research fees for each target and is entitled to certain delivery milestones. In addition, for each target, Regeneron will have an option to commercialize antibodies generated during the collaboration, for which Adimab would receive option exercise fees, clinical milestones and royalties on any potential product sales.