4 November 2013
Breda, The Netherlands / Ghent, Belgium – arGEN-X today announced the signing of a research and license agreement with de Duve Institute/UCL (Belgium). Under the terms of the agreement, the parties will closely collaborate to use arGEN-X' SIMPLE Antibody™ technology in validating the biology of a novel cancer immunomodulation target and creating functional leads with therapeutic potential. arGEN-X has an option to develop and commercialize resulting antibody drug candidates on an exclusive basis, from which both parties will share the rewards.
This agreement marks arGEN-X’ first collaboration under its strategy of engaging with research centers of excellence, to deploy SIMPLE Antibody™ in validating and drugging novel targets in cancer and inflammation.
Prof. Dr. Hans de Haard, Chief Scientific Officer of arGEN-X commented: "de Duve Institute/UCL has extensive expertise and know-how in cancer immunology. The concept of overcoming immune tolerance in cancer has been clinically validated with the recent approval of ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 antibody. This collaboration, which we intend to broaden over time, will focus on enhancing anti-tumor responses with fewer side effects. The program is a great complement to our portfolio of immune modulation strategies in cancer, spearheaded by ARGX-110, our clinical stage anti-CD70 antibody."
Dr. Michael Saunders, Senior Director of Targets and Programs at arGEN-X indicated: "This collaboration is a showcase of our strategy of accessing novel targets with therapeutic potential through collaboration with leading academic research groups. Our SIMPLE Antibody™ platform is uniquely suited both to validating novel targets and to creating potential first-in-class biotherapeutics."
Prof. Pierre Coulie and Prof. Sophie Lucas, de Duve Institute, UCL, commented: "This collaboration is a great opportunity for our group to benefit from arGEN-X’ technology and expertise in deriving novel therapeutic antibodies. It should allow us to swiftly determine how valuable our target is for tumor immunotherapy. This collaboration could also pave the way to fruitful interactions on other targets.
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About Immunomodulation as cancer therapy
Immunomodulation of cancer represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in cancer therapy to date. Therapeutic antibodies modulating such targets effectively mobilize the patient’s own immune system against tumors. Immunomodulation operates via numerous immune checkpoint pathways, explaining the rationale for exploring diverse novel and safe targets in this area.
About arGEN-X
arGEN-X is a clinical stage human therapeutic antibody company that is rapidly developing a product pipeline using its unique suite of antibody technologies. arGEN-X is creating first and best in class antibody therapeutics with highly differentiated target product profiles. Its therapeutic antibody programs, focused on cancer and autoimmune indications, are designed to deliver tangible benefits to patients with these diseases. www.arGEN-X.com
About De Duve Institute/UCL
At UCL (Université catholique de Louvain), the de Duve Institute has a longstanding expertise in human tumor immunology. Several discoveries made at the Institute, notably by the team of Prof. T. Boon, have been translated into early phase clinical trials of cancer immunotherapy. Current lines of research by several groups focus on immunomodulation and on mechanisms by which tumors evade destruction by the immune system. These groups are supported by WELBIO, an inter-university life sciences research institute based in Wallonia, aiming at promoting scientific excellence in fundamental life sciences and translating scientific achievements in biomedical applications. www.deduveinstitute.be/
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