Boehringer Ingelheim and OSE in Immuno-Oncology Deal Worth $1.7 Billion

Boehringer Ingelheim and OSE Immunotherapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on immunotherapy development, have entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement to jointly develop OSE-172, a signal regulatory protein (SIRP)-alpha antagonist targeting myeloid lineage cells, Boehringer Ingelheim announced on April 4, 2018.

Under the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim has acquired the global rights to develop, register, and commercialize OSE-172, a monoclonal antibody targeting SIRP-alpha that is expressed in myeloid lineage cells. This move is in line with their research and immuno-oncology innovation strategy. Boehringer Ingelheim will pay OSE Immunotherapeutics a EUR 15 million (USD$18 million) upfront payment and potential additional short-term milestones of up to EUR 15 million (USD$18 million) upon initiation of a Phase I clinical study. OSE Immunotherapeutics also stands to receive more than EUR 1.1 billion (US$1.3 billion) upon reaching pre-specified development, commercialization, and sales milestones, plus royalties on worldwide net sales.

SIRP-alpha is a receptor expressed by myeloid lineage cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). OSE-172, which targets SIRP- alpha, prevents the ligand CD47 from binding to and triggering the cellular inhibitory effects of SIRP-alpha, according to the companies.  The companies report that “OSE-172 has the potential to enhance anti-tumor immunity by improving T-cell activity through enhancement of DC antigen presentation functionality, potentiating the phagocytic and inflammatory properties of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, and enabling differentiation of MDSCs to an effector state.”

“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,” said Dr. Dominique Costantini, CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics, in a company press release. “Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise and insights will be invaluable as we step up the clinical development and work to commercialize this new treatment paradigm.”

“We are excited to partner with OSE Immunotherapeutics to develop this promising, novel cancer immunotherapy,” said Jonathon Sedgwick, PhD, global head Cancer Immunology & Immune Modulation Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, in the press release. “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.”

Source: Boehringer Ingelheim