Algeta enters "hot antibody" cancer collaboration with Affibody
This article was originally published in Scrip
Norway’s Algeta has entered into an exclusive research, development and commercialisation agreement with Affibody of Sweden to develop tumor-targeting alpha-pharmaceuticals based on thorium-227.
Last month Algeta established a research collaboration with Genzyme to evaluate the potential of Algeta’s thorium-227 platform and the Norwegian company said it was the first of a series of deals this year concerning the platform (scripintelligence.com, 4 April 2011). The latest announcement means that Algeta is on track with its plans to sign at least two deals this year.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Algeta will have access to two proprietary Affibody molecules for use in cancer therapy. These molecules are able to bind to two validated tumor targets: HER-2, which is present on aggressive breast tumors, and PDGFRβ, which plays a significant role in angiogenesis associated with solid tumor growth and development.
Although few deal details were available, Algeta will pay a signing fee to Affibody and make further payments dependent on the achievement of certain milestones and commercial success. Algeta has an exclusive worldwide license for both HER-2 and PDGFRβ in its chosen field. If the initial research collaboration is successful, Algeta will be responsible for all preclinical and clinical development of any development candidates that result from this collaboration, and commercialisation.
The company would not confirm to Scrip how much the signing fee was worth.
The Affibody molecules are a novel class of small targeting molecules with antibody-like properties that have the potential to be carriers of therapeutic payloads and may have benefits relating to efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics.
Algeta and Affibody will collaborate on a defined technical program to determine whether the two Affibody molecules covered by this agreement can be effective carrier targeting molecules for Algeta’s thorium-227 payload.
As part of the collaboration, Algeta also gains access to Affibody’s proprietary Albumod platform applied to the two Affibody targeting molecules. This is designed to enhance their efficacy by extending their circulatory half-life.
Thorium-227 is a radionuclide that emits high-energy alpha particles. Such elements are of interest in cancer treatment because of their potency in killing tumor cells whilst maintaining a localised effect due to the short range of the alpha particle (2-10 cell diameters).