Boehringer Ingelheim and F-star to collaborate
On discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies
Boehringer Ingelheim is to collaborate with Austrian biotechnology firm F-star on the joint discovery of antibody derived therapeutic products.
The deal, which is based on F-star’s Modular Antibody Technology, will see Boehringer Ingelheim nominate up to seven targets, which may span multiple therapeutic areas.
Under the terms of the agreement, Vienna-based F-star will receive an initial technology access fee, research-based funding, and is eligible to receive additional license fees, development, regulatory and commercial milestones and undisclosed tiered royalties on product sales.
Boehringer Ingelheim can select several therapeutic products from each of seven discovery programmes whereas the total payment to F-star for each of these programmes, excluding royalty payments, could reach up to €180m. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Kevin FitzGerald, chief executive of F-star, said: ‘We are very excited by the prospect of jointly delivering novel therapeutic proteins to patients with poorly treated illnesses.’
He said F-star has developed technology for the discovery of antibody-based products that are ‘clearly differentiated from conventional antibodies and other protein-based drugs’ and this partnership will enable the firm to expand the exploitation of this technology.
