German biopharma Affimed has agreed a strategic collaboration with Genentech, part of Swiss drug giant Roche, to develop immunotherapies for multiple cancers.

Affimed will apply its proprietary Redirected Optimised Cell Killing (ROCK) platform, which enables the generation of both NK cell and T cell-engaging antibodies, to discover and advance innate immune cell engager-based immunotherapies that are of interest to Genentech.

The collaboration includes candidate products generated from Affimed’s ROCK platform and multiple undisclosed solid and hematologic tumor targets.

The partners will collaborate on the discovery, early research and late-stage research phases, while Genentech will be responsible for clinical development and global commercialization.

“Our partnership with Affimed provides an opportunity to enhance our existing efforts to understand how the immune system can be activated to help people living with cancer,” said James Sabry, Roche’s global head of partnering.

Under the agreed terms, Affimed will receive $96 million in an initial upfront payment and other near-term committed funding. It could also be eligible to receive up to an additional $5 billion over time, including payments upon meeting specified development, regulatory and commercial milestones, plus sales royalties.

The agreement, which remains subject to antitrust approval, is expected to close in the third quarter.