Kite Licenses Antibodies and Establishes Collaboration With Teneobio in Multiple Myeloma
April 02 2020 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
-- Kite and Teneobio will Collaborate on
Next-Generation Dual-Targeting CAR T Therapies in Multiple Myeloma
Utilizing UniAb® Antibodies --
Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), and Teneobio, Inc.
announced the companies have entered into a license and
collaboration agreement through which Kite will receive exclusive
rights to certain antibodies directed to B-cell maturation antigen
(BCMA). The fully human variable heavy chain of one such antibody
is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in a chimeric antigen
receptor (CAR) format for the treatment of patients with multiple
myeloma in a Phase 1 clinical trial at the National Cancer
Institute. Kite and Teneobio will also collaborate on the discovery
of antibodies directed to four additional targets, using Teneobio’s
proprietary Human Heavy-Chain Antibodies (UniAb®) platform, to be
used in CAR T cell therapies for multiple myeloma and other
cancers.
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CARs traditionally utilize an antigen-recognition domain made up
of a single chain variable fragment (scFv). The binding domain
derived from Teneobio’s BCMA antibody has key potential benefits,
including minimal potential for immunogenicity due to its lack of
murine elements, and its small size, which may allow for the
creation of dual-targeting CAR T therapies.
“Kite is committed to pursuing novel CAR T therapies that have
the potential to be meaningfully differentiated treatment options
for people living with multiple myeloma,” said Peter Emtage, PhD,
Senior Vice President of Research at Kite. “Based on encouraging
early clinical signals and unique attributes of the binding domain
from Teneobio, this exciting collaboration will be central to our
strategy of developing next-generation CAR T therapies with the
potential to overcome the tumor microenvironment.”
“We are pleased that Kite, a leader in cell therapy, has
recognized the potential of Teneobio’s UniAb® platform to enable
differentiated CAR T cell therapies in treating multiple myeloma
and other cancers,” said Roland Buelow, PhD, CEO of Teneobio. “We
look forward to working with Kite to advance our uniquely
differentiated cancer-targeting UniAbs® on behalf of patients in
need of novel therapies.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Teneobio will receive an
upfront payment and will be eligible to receive additional payments
based on achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones,
as well as royalties on future potential sales.
The Anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy using Teneobio’s UniAb®
platform is investigational and not yet approved by any regulatory
authority. Its efficacy and safety have not been established.
About Teneobio, Inc.
Teneobio, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company
developing a new class of biologics, Human Heavy-Chain Antibodies
(UniAb®), for the treatments of cancer, autoimmunity, and
infectious diseases. Teneobio’s discovery platform, TeneoSeek,
comprises genetically engineered animals (UniRat® and OmniFlic®),
next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics and high-throughput
vector assembly technologies. TeneoSeek rapidly identifies large
numbers of unique binding molecules specific for therapeutic
targets of interest. Versatile antibody variable domains (UniDab®)
derived from UniAb® can be assembled into multi-specific and
multivalent therapeutic proteins, surpassing limitations of
conventional antibody therapeutics. Teneobio’s “plug-and-play”
T-cell engaging platform includes a diverse set of anti-CD3
antibodies for therapeutics with optimal efficacy and reduced
toxicity. The company has received funding from institutional
investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sutter Hill
Ventures.
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a biopharmaceutical company based in
Santa Monica, California. Kite is engaged in the development of
innovative cancer immunotherapies. The company is focused on
chimeric antigen receptor and T cell receptor engineered cell
therapies. For more information on Kite, please visit
www.kitepharma.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical
company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative
medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to
transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening
illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35
countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the company’s
website at www.gilead.com.
Gilead and Kite Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements, within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors,
including the risk that Gilead and Kite may not realize the
potential benefits of this in-licensing or collaboration with
Teneobio or other investments in cell therapy. All statements other
than statements of historical fact are statements that could be
deemed forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and
other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from
those referred to in the forward-looking statements. The reader is
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These
and other risks are described in detail in Gilead’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking
statements are based on information currently available to Gilead
and Kite, and Gilead and Kite assume no obligation to update any
such forward-looking statements.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200402005067/en/
Gilead and Kite Contacts: Douglas Maffei, PhD, Investors
(650) 522-2739 Nathan Kaiser, Media (650) 522-1853
Teneobio Contact: Omid Vafa, Chief Business Officer
ovafa@teneobio.com
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