Roche extends collaboration with Xencor

Roche is to extend its collaboration with the biotherapeutics company Xencor.

The original agreement, signed in January 2005, focused on the development of antibodies that target cancer, Xencor’s XmAb Fc domains.

Dr Bassil Dahiyat, president and CEO of Xencor, said: “We are very pleased to continue working with Roche to apply our XmAb proprietary engineered Fc domains to enhance the efficacy of Roche’s proprietary antibodies.”

The financial details of the initial agreement were not released, but Xencor received technology access and license fees, and was eligible to receive additional license fees, milestones and royalties in the event of candidates being developed by Roche.

Roche will also pay additional fees for the extension of the agreement, but again details have not been revealed.

Xencor’s other partners, besides Roche, include Genentech, Centocor and MedImmune.

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