Baxalta, Symphogen Announce Immuno-Oncology Deal

Jan. 4, 2016

Baxalta Incorporated and Symphogen, a private biopharmaceutical company developing recombinant antibodies and antibody mixtures, announced a strategic immuno-oncology collaboration.

Baxalta and Symphogen will advance novel therapeutics against six checkpoint targets, with the first program to enter clinical studies in 2017, according to a press release. On a product-by-product basis, following successful completion of Phase 1 clinical trials, Baxalta will have exclusive option rights to complete late-stage development and worldwide commercialization.

Symphogen will receive an upfront payment of $175 million from Baxalta in exchange for the exclusive option rights for six checkpoint therapies. Symphogen will be responsible for performing R&D through Phase 1 clinical trials at its own expense, the release said. The agreement holds a total potential value up to $1.6 billion in option fees and milestones over the long-term, in addition to royalties on worldwide sales.

“This exciting partnership aligns well to Baxalta’s strategy to invest in immuno-oncology and build an innovative portfolio of immunotherapies,” said David Meek, executive vice president and president, Oncology, Baxalta. “With the expertise Symphogen offers in this category and their broad portfolio of early-stage immuno-oncology programs, this collaboration allows us to actively advance one of the most innovative areas of this field. For Baxalta, this is just the beginning of our focus in building world-class capabilities in immuno-oncology.”

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