Vir Biotechnology Announces Collaboration, License Agreement With Gilead To Discover, Engineer Three PRO-XTEN Dual-Masked T-Cell Engager Development Candidates Targeting Selected Solid Tumor-Associated Antigens

Benzinga · 2d ago

- Collaboration combines Vir Biotechnology’s T-cell engager discovery, AI-enabled protein engineering and clinically-validated PRO-XTEN® masking technology with Gilead’s oncology development and commercialization expertise

- This is the Company’s second collaboration building on the universal PRO-XTEN® masking technology

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR), today announced a collaboration and license agreement with Gilead to discover and engineer three novel PRO-XTEN® dual-masked T-cell engager (TCE) development candidates targeting selected solid tumor-associated antigens. Gilead will have an exclusive license to develop and commercialize the novel TCEs.

Through this collaboration, Vir Biotechnology will apply its deep expertise in TCE discovery and protein engineering, its proprietary dAIsY™ (data AI structure and antibodY) platform for rapid, multiparameter optimization of high-quality TCEs and the universal PRO-XTEN® masking technology to develop next-generation TCEs, each with potent anti-tumor activity and a wide therapeutic index across solid tumor targets addressing areas of high unmet need.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vir Biotechnology will be responsible for discovery, design and optimization of three novel PRO-XTEN® dual-masked TCE development candidates targeting selected solid tumor-associated antigens. Gilead will have an exclusive license to nominate and advance candidates generated under the collaboration and will be responsible for subsequent development, manufacturing and commercialization activities. Vir Biotechnology will be eligible to receive up to $135 million in total upfront and near-term preclinical milestone payments, consisting of $90 million in upfront consideration, which includes $65 million in cash and a $25 million equity investment at a 30% premium, and up to $45 million in potential near-term preclinical milestones. In addition, Vir Biotechnology has the potential to receive up to $1.74 billion in further development, regulatory and commercial milestones, along with tiered high single-digit to low double-digit royalties on net sales.