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Pharmaceutical industry

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Enters Research Agreement with Roche Group

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has entered into a research and license option agreement with Roche Group, one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups. The agreement regards ImmunCellular's ICT-69 antibody, which has shown promise in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will investigate the potential of ICT-69 and has the option to acquire a commercial license for up to $32 million in payments.

Key Takeaways:

  • ImmunoCellular Therapeutics has entered into a research and license option agreement with Roche Group, a leading healthcare company, to investigate the potential of its ICT-69 antibody in multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer.
  • The agreement allows Roche to license the rights to investigate ICT-69 for an upfront payment, with the option to acquire a commercial license for up to $32 million in payments.
  • ICT-69 is a monoclonal antibody designed to target human multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer cells without binding to healthy tissues, making it a strong potential candidate for therapeutic applications.
  • IMUC holds four issued patents pertaining to ICT-69's ability to act as both a therapeutic antibody and a diagnostic tool for MM and ovarian cancer.
  • Manish Singh, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of IMUC, believes that Roche's interest is a validation of IMUC's strong portfolio of antibody therapies and may increase its ability to attract further partnership activities.

Statistics:

  • Total payments due to IMUC in the event that all developmental milestones are met: up to $32 million.
  • IMUC holds four issued patents pertaining to ICT-69.
  • IMUC is in pre-clinical development of a monoclonal antibody product candidate for the treatment of small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.
  • IMUC expects its "off the shelf" therapeutic vaccine product candidate targeting cancer stem cells for multiple cancer indications to enter clinical trials for brain cancer in early 2010.

Sources:

  • IMUC press release, "IMUC Enters into Research and License Option Agreement with Roche Group" dated [no date provided].
  • IMUC website, www.imuc.com.

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