invoX subsidiary F-star Therapeutics has signed a strategic discovery partnership and licence deal with Takeda to develop multi-specific antibodies.
The partnership will use F-star’s fully-human Fcab and tetravalent mAb² platforms to analyse and develop immunotherapies for cancer.
The companies will work on the development of as-yet-undisclosed new Fcab domains against immuno-oncology targets.
Takeda will obtain an exclusive global royalty-bearing licence to carry out research, development and marketing of the antibodies containing Fcab domains that will result from the partnership.
The rights for researching, developing and marketing antibodies with other Fcab domains will be retained by F-star.
F-star is eligible to receive an undisclosed upfront payment and investment for research during the partnership period.
Takeda will make contingent payments of $1bn to F-star on meeting development and marketing milestones.
F-star will also receive royalty payments on net yearly sales of any product arising from the licence.
F-star Therapeutics head and chief scientific officer Neil Brewis stated: “We are delighted to expand our relationship with Takeda which shares our vision of developing pioneering multi-specific immunotherapies so more people with cancer can live longer with improved lives.
“This strategic collaboration leverages the capabilities of both companies by combining F-star’s clinically validated Fcab and mAb² platforms with Takeda’s unique understanding of the immune system and its ability to progress drugs to the clinic.”
In May 2023, Takeda and KSQ Therapeutics extended their immuno-oncology collaboration for novel tumour-intrinsic targets.