TIGIT – or T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domain – is an important inhibitory molecule that is associated with cancer and viewed as a promising new target for immunotherapy.

AGEN1777 is a preclinical antibody candidate designed to target major inhibitory receptors expressed on T and NK cells to bolster anti-tumor activity.

“AGEN1777’s differentiated mechanism of action provides the potential for potent anti-tumor activity; catalyzing our clinical TIGIT strategy aimed at serving more patients with unmet needs in cancer,” said Debbie Law, senior vice president, head of tumor microenvironment thematic research center at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb will pay Agenus $200 million upfront and up to $1.36 billion in various milestones, as well as tiered double-digit royalties on net product sales. It will also assume sole responsibility for developing and commercializing AGEN1777 and any related products worldwide.

Agenus will retain options to conduct clinical studies under the development plan, to conduct combination studies with certain other of its pipeline assets and to co-promote AGEN1777 in the US upon commercialization.

Agenus is expecting to file an investigational new drug application for AGEN1777 with the US Food and Drug Administration in the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Bristol Myers Squibb said it intends to advance the research and development of the Agenus antibody in immuno-oncology for high-priority tumor indications, including non-small cell lung cancer.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist