Boehringer Ingelheim and 3T Biosciences (“3T”) today announced they have entered into a new strategic collaboration and licensing agreement focused on discovering and developing next-generation life-changing cancer immunotherapies.
Despite the significant transformation of the cancer treatment landscape by immunotherapies, sustained remission only occurs in 15-20% of all cases of cancer. Boehringer Ingelheim is on a mission to considerably increase this rate by utilizing complementary immuno-oncology platforms such as T-Cell Engagers (TcEs), oncolytic viruses and cancer vaccines to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients in need.
This second research partnership with 3T builds on the successful completion of the initial research partnership announced last year by the two companies. It brings together 3T’s best-in-class 3T-TRACE (T-Cell Receptor Antigen and Cross-Reactivity Engine) discovery platform with Boehringer Ingelheim’s commitment to develop first-in-class immuno-oncology treatments that boost the immune system’s ability to recognize, attack and kill tumors.
“At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are committed to transforming patients’ lives. The initial success of our work with 3T gives us confidence that together we can and will expand and accelerate our pipeline of first-in-class T-cell based anti-cancer therapies,” said Lamine Mbow, Ph.D., Global Head of Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim.
“The work we have done with Boehringer Ingelheim over the past year provides a higher degree of validation of our 3T-TRACE discovery platform,” said Stefan J. Scherer, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of 3T Biosciences. “Based on the success of this initial work, we will now go broader and deeper into other cancers.”
Under the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim will provide patient-derived T-cell receptor (TCR) data to fuel 3T’s target discovery efforts to identify cognate antigens using its 3T TRACE discovery platform. 3T will receive an upfront payment and research and development support, and is eligible for discovery, preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones for both agreements totaling $538.5 million in addition to royalties on future Boehringer Ingelheim product sales.?Boehringer Ingelheim is eligible to receive royalties on future product sales by 3T Biosciences arising from the agreement.
