Genmab and BioNTech to take BAbs all the way in crowded immuno-oncology

Two European science-driven companies that retain ambitions to grow into independent sales-based pharmaceutical firms are to collaborate in immuno-oncology. Genmab and BioNTech (which also recently announced a separate deal with Eli Lilly) announced on 19 May that they would jointly research, develop and commercialize bispecific antibody (BAb) products. Both firms told Scrip that they had each the will and resources to commercialize any resultant products without licensing out to larger pharmaceutical third-parties.

The deal funnels some 200 of BioNTech's well-characterized proprietary antibodies through Genmab's DuoBody technology platform to produce bispecific antibodies with dual functionality. Neither company would elaborate on the anticipated timeline...