The collaboration between Hookipa Biotech and Gilead Sciences’ is progressing well.
In June 2018, the two entered into a research collaboration and license agreement that granted Gilead exclusive rights to Hookipa’s TheraT and Vaxwave arenavirus vector-based immunisation technologies for two major chronic infectious disease indications, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead said it would provide an upfront payment of US$10 million.
Additionally, Hookipa would also be eligible to receive milestone payments based upon the achievement of specified development, regulatory, and commercial milestones up to a total of more than $400m and be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales. Gilead said it would fund all R&D activities.
Some of those milestone payments have now been realised.
In January, the first HIV milestone was achieved, with Hookipa designing and delivering 14 research-grade vectors to Gilead, along with the characterization of these vectors and delivery of a data package for the HIV programme.
Now in May, the HBV effort is following suit, with 10 vectors delivered to Gilead.
Both achievements entitle Hookipa to sizeable parts of the milestone payments.
Joern Aldag, Hookipa CEO, said: “We are on track to deliver on the milestones in our important collaboration with Gilead. The achievement of this additional milestone not only demonstrates our joint commitment to combat infectious diseases, but also Hookipa's ability to advance and deliver results which at the same time further validates our technology in the context of infectious disease.”