Hookipa Pharma has achieved a $10 million non-dilutive milestone payment under its collaboration agreement with Roche to develop HB-700, a novel arenaviral immunotherapy for KRAS-mutated cancers.
The success-based milestone payment reflects the start of the HB-700 manufacturing process to support a phase 1 clinical trial. Hookipa plans to submit an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to the US Food and Drug Administration in the first half of 2024.
“We’re really pleased to start the year strongly by achieving this milestone in our collaboration with Roche to develop HB-700 for KRAS-mutated cancers,” said Joern Aldag, Chief Executive Officer at Hookipa. “We’re excited to advance the HB-700 program, our third in oncology, and we’re eager to explore the potential of our technology in addressing another unmet need in cancer.”
In October 2022, Hookipa and Roche announced a strategic collaboration agreement to licence and develop HB-700 for KRAS-mutated cancers and an option for a second, undisclosed arenaviral immunotherapy. Through the collaboration, Hookipa is conducting research and early clinical development through Phase 1b for HB-700.
Upon the completion of the Phase 1b trial, Roche has the right to assume development responsibility and to commercialise licensed products across multiple indications upon approval. Under the collaboration, Hookipa is eligible for research, development and commercialisation milestone-based payments up to approximately $930 million for both programs, plus royalties.
