Tag: BiTE

Company News: Micromet’s BiTE Antibodies Overcome Cancer Cell Resistance

In several clinical trials, antibody company Micromet has demonstrated outstanding efficacy and safety of its bispecific BiTE antibodies which come with two binding sites: one for a cancer target and a second one for a T cell. As a result, T cells are recruited and guided directly to the tumor cell, initiating cancer cell death in a serial fashion.

In this week’s PNAS, researchers of the company demonstrate that the BiTE antibodies also can overcome the notorious resistance against conventional monoclonal antibodies arising in many cancer patients.

The researchers converted the anti-EGFR antibodies cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) into BiTE antibodies by adding the binding site for T cells. In animal models, these BiTE antibodies then showed a remarkably high potency (in the sub-picomolar range) against cancer cells with KRAS and BRAF-mutations which made them resistant to the original monoclonal antibodies.

According to the authors, “the present study shows that conversion of EGFR-specific monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab into T cell-engaging BiTE antibodies is technically feasible and that the BiTE technology can overcome resistance of KRAS- and BRAF- mutated CRC lines to the therapeutically used parental antibodies. The simplest explanation for the latter is that T cell-engaging BiTE antibodies do not rely on inhibition of EGFR signaling but use the receptor tyrosine kinase as mere surface anchor for attachment of cytotoxic T cells. This function of BiTE antibodies is not expected to be affected by mutations of downstream components of the EGFR pathway that obviate the cancer cell’s dependence on the EGFR surface receptor for delivery of growth-promoting signaling.”

If this holds up in clinical trials, it is not only good news for patients with resistance to conventional cancer antibodies already on the market, but it will also provide an opportunity for a whole range of new cooperations with pharma companies for product enhancement and life cycle management.

Company News: Micromet Announces Global Collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim for Multiple Myeloma BiTE Antibody and Reports First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Micromet, Inc. (Nasdaq: MITI) and Boehringer Ingelheim announced today that they have entered into a collaboration agreement for the research, development and commercialization of a new BiTE antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Despite recent advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma, the disease remains largely incurable. While the majority of patients initially respond to treatment, almost all of these patients will eventually relapse.

Micromet and Boehringer Ingelheim will collaborate on the development of the BiTE antibody. Micromet is responsible for discovery of the BiTE antibody and will jointly conduct with Boehringer Ingelheim further pre-clinical studies. Boehringer Ingelheim is responsible for all manufacturing activities, clinical development and worldwide commercialization subject to Micromet’s co-promotion right in the U.S. Micromet will bear the costs up to a pre-defined amount for its preclinical activities. During commercialization Micromet will solely bear the costs for its sales force in the U.S. All other costs for research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the BiTE antibody will be borne by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Under the terms of the agreement Boehringer Ingelheim will pay Micromet an upfront cash payment of 5 million euro (approximately $6.6 million). Micromet is eligible to receive development and regulatory milestone payments of up to 50 million euro (approximately $66 million) and tiered low double-digit royalties on product sales outside the U.S. In the U.S. Micromet and Boehringer Ingelheim will jointly co-promote the BiTE antibody with commercial terms commensurate with a profit split.

Moreover, Micromet today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. For further details, please visit Micromet´s corporate website.

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