Collaboration to Develop Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Cancer
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MedImmune, Inc. and VasGene Therapeutics, Inc. have announced that they have entered into a collaborative agreement to develop cancer- focused monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting a member of a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases, EphB4, as well as its ligand, EphrinB2.
Under the terms of the agreement, MedImmune will be responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of any resulting products.
VasGene will provide research and development support and receive an upfront fee, development and regulatory milestone payments, as well as royalties on any future marketed products.
"MedImmune continues to expand the breadth and depth of its oncology product pipeline with promising new antibodies, targets and technologies," said Peter A. Kiener, D.Phil., MedImmune's senior vice president, research.
"Adding antibodies against EphB4 and EphrinB2 to our portfolio builds upon our existing activities with Eph kinases, including ongoing work with EphA2 and EphA4.”
"As we further our research in this area, we hope to expand the growing body of knowledge regarding the role Eph receptors may play in cancers, and we look forward to working with VasGene to advance novel product candidates with potential therapeutic applications."
"We are extremely pleased to announce our collaboration with MedImmune," said Raymond A. Mirra, Jr., VasGene's chairman and chief executive officer.
"MedImmune is highly experienced in the successful development of antibodies, and together we are going to make every effort to advance these compounds into the clinic."
