LAVA Therapeutics, a Netherlands-based company with its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia, recently entered into an exclusive license agreement with Seagen, a Seattle-based biotechnology company, to develop LAVA’s proprietary Gammabody platform of bispecific gamma delta T cell engagers.
Seagen will pay LAVA $50 million for an exclusive global license. After potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones are met, Seagen will pay up to approximately $650 million. The company also will pay LAVA royalties on future sales.
Under the agreement, Seagen will work to develop, manufacture and commercialize LAVA-1223 which uses Gammabody to target epidermal growth factor receptor-expressing solid tumors.
“LAVA is pioneering the development of gamma delta bispecific antibodies to treat cancer, and we are pleased to work with Seagen in this pursuit. The combination of LAVA’s proprietary Gammabody platform and deep bispecific expertise, with Seagen’s leadership in developing targeted therapies for cancer and commercialization infrastructure, makes this an ideal partnership to advance novel therapies for patients,” LAVA Therapeutics President and CEO Stephen Hurly said. “This agreement enables LAVA to further validate its platform in a second solid tumor product candidate, bringing us closer toward our goal of generating effective Gammabody medicines for cancer patients.”
Seagen also can negotiate rights to apply Gammabody on up to two additional tumor targets.