Boehringer Ingelheim has announced a collaboration agreement with Xencor for certain biosuperior monoclonal antibodies, which are produced using Xencor’s proprietary Protein Design Automation platform.
As per the agreement, Boehringer will provide manufacturing and product supply from preclinical stages through to Phase 1 development. Xencor will retain responsibility for preclinical and clinical studies, whilst also keeping development and commercial rights.
In exchange, Boehringer will receive certain manufacturing rights to supply clinical and commercial material to Xencor upon successful advancement.
Xencor president and CEO Bassil Dahiyat said: "Xencor has developed a deep portfolio of biosuperior antibodies with the potential for superior clinical and commercial performance, and this collaboration agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim allows us to establish an important relationship with the leading global contract manufacturer of biologics."
Boehringer Ingelheim Biopharmaceuticals corporate senior vice president Simon Sturge stated his delight at the collaboration, adding that the deal will see both companies able to focus on core competencies.
"We are convinced this creates a win-win situation for both parties," added Sturge.
Xencor’s lead biosuperior compound, an anti-TNF antibody created using Xencor’s Xtend antibody engineering technology, is expected to start Phase 1 trials in 2013 with resulting data possessing the potential validate Xtend technology.
