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.

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 for development

More from Business

Copycats Compound Novo’s Wegovy Growth Problems

 

The US FDA has ordered compounders of the Danish firm's obesity drug semaglutide to shut up shop later this month, but competition from Eli Lilly is only increasing.

Stock Watch: Market Optimism Outshines Q1 Currency And Tariff Woes

 
• By 

The weak US dollar helped some companies reporting first-quarter results and hindered others reporting in stronger currencies. But even the impacts of currencies and Medicare modernization on first-quarter revenues were overlooked when an end to the trade wars seemed possible.

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By 

In this week's episode: AstraZeneca CEO cautions Europe; Pfizer CEO optimistic on US tariffs, pricing; Merck & Co reassures on pipeline; Merck KGaA buys SpringWorks; and Akeso explains ivonescimab overall survival data.

Vertex Sinks On Below-Consensus Revenue, Limited Sales From New Launches

 
• By 

Vertex is in need of diversification, but in addition to its lower-than-expected Q1 revenue, sales of the company’s newest CF drug Alyftrek and pain medicine Journavx disappointed.

More from Scrip

In Brief: Positive New Data For Aptose’s Triplet Therapy In 1L AML

 

Aptose’s tuspetinib triplet shows early mutation-agnostic promise in new data from Phase I/II program for frontline acute myeloid leukemia.

Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
• By 

Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By 

In this week's episode: AstraZeneca CEO cautions Europe; Pfizer CEO optimistic on US tariffs, pricing; Merck & Co reassures on pipeline; Merck KGaA buys SpringWorks; and Akeso explains ivonescimab overall survival data.