Roche licences TB-403 novel anti-cancer antibody

ThromboGenics NV and BioInvent International AB have entered into a license agreement with Roche for their jointly developed anti-cancer agent TB-403.

TB-403 is a novel monoclonal antibody that blocks Placental Growth Factor (PIGF), one of the growth factors responsible for the development of new blood vessels. This means it has the potential to be a major advance in the treatment of cancer, by minimising both the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Under the terms of the agreement Roche will pay ThromboGenics and BioInvent an upfront payment of Euro 50m. In addition, ThromboGenics and BioInvent could potentially receive up to €450 m over the term of the collaboration based on the successful completion of a series of development and commercial milestones for multiple indications, as well as double digit royalties on potential product sales, including any backup antibodies based on inhibition of PlGF.

ThromboGenics, which discovered TB-403, will receive 60% and BioInvent 40% of the revenue from the deal. Roche will have a worldwide, exclusive license to develop and commercialize TB-403. ThromboGenics and BioInvent will retain co-promotion rights for the product in the Benelux, Baltic and Nordic regions.

ThromboGenics and BioInvent are responsible for any remaining costs associated with the recently completed Phase Ia trial in healthy volunteers. Roche will assume responsibility for all future development costs for this novel therapy, including the costs of the pending Phase Ib trial in patients to be run by ThromboGenics and BioInvent.

TB-403 (Anti-PIGF) has completed an initial Phase I clinical trial and recently received approval to enter a Phase Ib dose escalation trial. This Phase Ib trial will be conducted in patients with advanced cancer and is due to commence shortly in Denmark.