ThromboGenics NV and co-development partner BioInvent International have announced that they will regain global rights to TB-403 from Roche.

TB-403 was licensed to Roche in 2008. ThromboGenics and BioInvent plan to further evaluate the potential of TB-403 in certain cancer and non-cancer indications, including ophthalmology.

Clinical studies with TB-403 to-date have shown that it is safe and well tolerated. Roche’s decision was due to the prioritization of resources in the Roche portfolio.

TB-403 is a monoclonal antibody against placental growth factor (PlGF). PIGF is a naturally occurring protein that belongs to the family of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) that promote the formation of blood vessels.

TB-403’s ability to block the growth of new blood vessels and modulate inflammation means it could potentially be used in a broad range of cancer and non-cancer indications.

Dr. Patrik De Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics, said: “Regaining all rights to TB-403, an antibody which blocks PIGF, will allow us to evaluate its potential as a treatment for a number of significant retinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy and AMD. We believe that our lead product ocriplasmin will allow us to establish a strong market position in the treatment of retinal disorders where vitreomacular adhesion plays a role. By investing in the development of TB-403 we could have another exciting new product to accelerate the growth of our emerging ophthalmology franchise.”

Svein Mathisen, CEO of BioInvent, added: “TB-403’s ability to selectively block the formation of new blood vessels provides us with a therapeutic antibody candidate that could have potential in indications where it has so far not been fully assessed. We intend to evaluate such opportunities and will provide an update when data are available.”