• 06 Apr 2020
• Admin
• News Article

Kite Licenses Antibodies And Establishes Collaboration With Teneobio In Multiple Myeloma

Kite, a Gilead Company, and Teneobio, Inc. announced the companies have entered into a license and collaboration agreement through which Kite will receive exclusive rights to certain antibodies directed to B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). The fully human variable heavy chain of one such antibody is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) format for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma in a Phase 1 clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute. Kite and Teneobio will also collaborate on the discovery of antibodies directed to four additional targets, using Teneobio’s proprietary Human Heavy-Chain Antibodies (UniAb®) platform, to be used in CAR T cell therapies for multiple myeloma and other cancers. CARs traditionally utilize an antigen-recognition domain made up of a single chain variable fragment (scFv). The binding domain derived from Teneobio’s BCMA antibody has key potential benefits, including minimal potential for immunogenicity due to its lack of murine elements, and its small size, which may allow for the creation of dual-targeting CAR T therapies. “Kite is committed to pursuing novel CAR T therapies that have the potential to be meaningfully differentiated treatment options for people living with multiple myeloma,” said Peter Emtage, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research at Kite. “Based on encouraging early clinical signals and unique attributes of the binding domain from Teneobio, this exciting collaboration will be central to our strategy of developing next-generation CAR T therapies with the potential to overcome the tumor microenvironment.” “We are pleased that Kite, a leader in cell therapy, has recognized the potential of Teneobio’s UniAb® platform to enable differentiated CAR T cell therapies in treating multiple myeloma and other cancers,” said Roland Buelow, PhD, CEO of Teneobio. “We look forward to working with Kite to advance our uniquely differentiated cancer-targeting UniAbs® on behalf of patients in need of novel therapies.” Under the terms of the agreement, Teneobio will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive additional payments based on achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones, as well as royalties on future potential sales. The Anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy using Teneobio’s UniAb® platform is investigational and not yet approved by any regulatory authority. Its efficacy and safety have not been established.