Germany-based mRNA specialist BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX) has unveiled a licensing deal and collaboration with US-based biotech OncoC4, securing global development and commercialization rights to OncoC4’s anti-CTLA-4 antibody ONC-392. Under the terms of the agreement, BioNTech will pay OncoC4 USD 200 million upfront, with further undisclosed development and commercial milestone payments, as well as double-digit royalties on future sales.
Joint Development and Commercialization Plans
BioNTech and OncoC4 will jointly develop ONC-392 as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-(L)-1 antibodies for solid tumor indications, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with development costs equally shared. BioNTech will also conduct independent development of ONC-392 in combinations outside of PD-1 inhibition. BioNTech will hold exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for any of these products, though OncoC4 may negotiate participation in certain markets at a future date.
Background of OncoC4 and Its Founder
OncoC4 is based in Maryland, USA, and has strong ties to China. The firm was spun out by serial entrepreneur founder and CEO Dr. Liu Yang from OncoImmune when the latter was acquired by Merck, Sharp & Dohme in 2020. Dr. Liu is also the current CEO of AcroImmune, a Guangzhou-based company that includes ONC-392 as a pipeline candidate.-Fineline Info & Tech
