Baxalta and Symphogen agree immuno-oncology partnership

Baxalta has announced a broad new strategic immuno-oncology collaboration with Symphogen.

The companies have agreed to work together to advance novel therapeutics against six checkpoint targets, with the first programme set to enter clinical studies in 2017.

On a product-by-product basis, following successful completion of phase I clinical trials, Baxalta will receive exclusive option rights to progress the projects to late-stage development and worldwide commercialisation.

The aim will be to advance development of novel immune checkpoint therapies and help Baxalta to expand its oncology leadership in orphan diseases, with the agreement's total potential value reaching up to 1.4 billion euros (1.03 billion pounds).

David Meek, executive vice-president and president for oncology at Baxalta, said: "With the expertise Symphogen offers in this category and their broad portfolio of early-stage immuno-oncology programmes, this collaboration allows us to actively advance one of the most innovative areas of this field."

Immuno-oncology is an important emerging research field, with the immunotherapies produced through this work offering significant potential to improve outcomes for a variety of cancers.