Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) has announced an in-licensing agreement with fellow US biotechnology company Xilio Therapeutics (NASDAQ: XLO) to acquire an early-stage tumor-activated interleukin 12 (IL-12) for the treatment of solid tumors. Gilead will pay an initial sum of USD 43.5 million for the exclusive development and global commercialization rights to the program, with the potential for up to USD 604 million in contingent payments and sales royalties.
The investigational molecule is engineered to transform immunologically cold malignancies into inflamed, or “hot,” tumors by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment (TME), addressing the challenge of severe toxicities typically associated with IL-12.
Xilio Therapeutics is utilizing its proprietary platform to develop a range of tumor-activated therapeutics, including antibodies, cytokines, bispecific antibodies, and cell engagers. These molecules are designed to optimize the therapeutic index by localizing anti-tumor activity, targeting a wide array of solid cancers that are traditionally difficult to treat.- Flcube.com
