Boehringer Ingelheim and Oxford BioTherapeutics agree cancer alliance

Boehringer Ingelheim and Oxford BioTherapeutics have agreed a new collaboration that will focus on the discovery of novel cancer antibody targets using the OGAP discovery platform.

The alliance will see Oxford BioTherapeutics utilising its discovery technology to validate certain targets – which are compatible with targeting by various antibody drug formats – across a range of cancer indications.

Following the completion of this process, Boehringer Ingelheim will be given exclusive rights to develop and commercialise these antibody products for selected programmes, with Oxford BioTherapeutics to receive an upfront fee, milestone-based payments and royalties on future sales.

Christian Rohlff, chief executive officer of Oxford BioTherapeutics, said: "Selecting the right target is fundamental for the successful development of a first-in-class antibody product drug and we are delighted to collaborate with a company of the calibre of Boehringer Ingelheim."

Earlier this week, it was announced that Boehringer Ingelheim has joined the international Structural Genomics Consortium to carry out research into new therapies for previously incurable diseases.