2024.08.16
On August 1, 2024, ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Inc. (HKEX code: 01541.HK,“ImmuneOnco”) and Instil Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: TIL, “Instil”) announced an agreement in which Instil will in-license the ex-China development and commercialization rights of ImmueOnco’s proprietary PD-L1xVEGF bispecific antibody, IMM2510, as well as its next-generation anti-CTLA-4 antibody IMM27M.
Under the terms of the agreement, SynBioTx, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Instil, will receive the global development and commercialization rights to IMM2510 and IMM27M outside of Greater China, while ImmuneOnco will retain the development and commercialization rights in Greater China including Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. ImmuneOnco will receive an upfront payment and potential near-term payments of up to USD 50 million as well as potential additional development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments exceeding USD 2 billion plus single-digit to low double-digit percentage royalties on global ex-China sales.
IMM2510 is a novel, bispecific antibody consisting of an anti-PD-L1 antibody fused to a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor “trap” which binds VEGF. IMM2510 is differentiated from other PD(L)1xVEGF antibodies by its ability to bind multiple VEGF receptor ligands beyond VEGF-A, a smaller molecular weight allowing for potentially better tumor penetration, and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) designed to improve the killing of tumors. IMM2510 has completed a dose-escalation clinical trial for advanced solid tumors and this demonstrated multiple responses including in patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who previously failed PD-1 inhibitors.
IMM27M is a next-generation anti-CTLA-4 antibody with enhanced ADCC activity, which is designed to promote intratumoral regulatory T cell depletion to enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity associated with first-generation anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. IMM27M has completed a dose-escalation clinical trial demonstrating anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced solid tumors and in July 2024, entered combination studies with IMM2510 in China.
JunHe was entrusted by ImmuneOnco to review, modify and negotiate the transaction documents. JunHe’s professional and efficient legal services received great recognition from the client.
Partner ZHAO, Hao (Gerry) led JunHe’s team in this project.
