Context Therapeutics and Integral Molecular have announced a research collaboration and licensing agreement for the development of an anti-claudin 6 (CLDN6) bispecific monoclonal antibody (BsMAb) for gynaecologic cancer therapy.
CLDN6 is a membrane protein expressed in multiple cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, lung and gastric cancers and high levels in patient tumours are correlated with poor prognosis.
Under the terms of the agreement, Integral Molecular and Context Therapeutics will develop CLDN6 bispecific antibodies that trigger the activation of T cells and thereby eliminate cancer cells displaying CLND6.
Martin Lehr, Chief Executive Officer of Context, said: “The structural complexity of CLDN6 and its similarity to proteins expressed on healthy tissue have previously limited its exploitation for targeted oncology therapies.
“By combining Integral Molecular’s expertise in the field of antibody discovery and Context’s experience developing therapies for women’s cancers, we hope to develop a best-in-class targeted therapeutic for CLDN6-positive gynaecologic tumours.”
Context will conduct preclinical and all clinical development, as well as regulatory and commercial activities through exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise the novel CLDN6 candidates. Integral Molecular will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and will be eligible to receive development, regulatory and sales milestone payments and high-single-digit to low-double-digit percent royalties on net sales.
Context Therapeutics is a women’s oncology company focused on developing advanced small molecule and immunotherapy treatments to care for hormone-driven breast and gynaecological cancers.
Integral Molecular is involved in discovering and characterising therapeutic antibodies against membrane proteins, an important group of drug targets found on the surfaces of cells and viruses. Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue virus.
Benjamin Doranz, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Integral Molecular, said: “There is a strong need for therapies that provide more specific and less toxic treatments for gynaecologic cancers, and we look forward to our partnership with Context that will enable better treatments for women.”
Kat Jenkins
This is a syndicated feed from Pharmafile
