GSK and MD Anderson sign research collaboration deal worth over $335 million

Hannah Blake

pharmaphorum

GSK has signed a research collaboration and license agreement worth over US $335 million with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to develop new therapeutic antibodies that promote an immune system attack against cancer.

Under terms of the agreement, MD Anderson grants GSK exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the antibodies, which activate OX40 on the surface of T cells. MD Anderson, through its new Institute for Applied Cancer Science (IACS), will collaborate with GSK to conduct preclinical research on the antibodies.

"This agreement is not only a tribute to the ability of MD Anderson scientists to discover new targets and potential therapies against those targets for cancer patients, it's also a testament to the vision shared by GSK and MD Anderson that successful clinical development of oncology drugs requires seamless integration of drug development expertise and deep biological knowledge. The IACS was formed to enable precisely such integration to expedite the accurate translation of great science into drugs."

Giulio Draetta, M.D., Ph.D., IACS director at MD Anderson.

The agreement terms state that MD Anderson will receive an upfront license payment and funding for IACS research collaboration activities, as well as payments for reaching development, regulatory and commercial milestones. In addition, MD Anderson will also be entitled to royalties deriving from the commercial sales of products developed under the collaboration.

Initial clinical trials will occur only after necessary preclinical drug development conducted under the agreement succeeds.