Boehringer Ingelheim has formed an alliance with OSE Immunotherapeutics to develop a SIRP-alpha antagonist compound to treat advanced solid tumours.
Under the collaboration and licence agreement, the companies will work together on the monoclonal antibody OSE-172 that is currently in late preclinical development for multiple cancers.
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SIRP-alpha is a receptor expressed by myeloid lineage cells and its inhibition is expected to prevent the binding of CD47 ligand to the receptor, causing cellular inhibitory effects.
Boehringer believes that OSE-172 can improve T cell activity and anti-tumour immunity.
Boehringer Ingelheim cancer immunology and immune modulation research global head Jonathon Sedgwick said: “A key area of focus is the identification of drugs that target myeloid cell immune regulatory receptors of which SIRP-alpha is a leading example.
“We are dedicated to developing ground-breaking, first-in-class therapies that can transform the lives of patients and help win the fight against cancer.”
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By GlobalDataBoeringher will acquire the global rights to develop, register and commercialise the compound. OSE Immunotherapeutics will obtain €15m upfront and up to €1m in potential short-term milestones after the launch of a Phase I clinical trial.
The company could receive more than €1.1bn upon reaching pre-specified development, commercialisation and sales milestones, plus royalties on worldwide net sales.
OSE Immunotherapeutics CEO Dominique Costantini said: “This partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim is a real recognition of the value of our innovative approach to treating cancer and will create an exciting new alliance to fuel the Phase I development of OSE-172.
“Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise and insights will be invaluable as we step up the clinical development and work to commercialise this new treatment paradigm.”
