28 March 2019 - - French biotechnology company Transgene (PAR: TNG) (Euronext Paris: TNG) and BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV), a biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel immuno-regulatory antibodies to treat cancer, have extended their collaboration to co-develop multi-functional oncolytic viruses encoding for undisclosed antibodies sequences capable of treating a broad range of solid tumors, the companies said.

Under the terms of the extension agreement, Transgene will contribute its OV design and engineering expertise, some non-antibody transgenes, as well as its proprietary engineered vaccinia virus (TK-, RR-) backbone, which forms the basis of its Invir.IO platform.

BioInvent will provide its cancer biology and antibody expertise to the collaboration as well as one or more antibodies sequences, generated through its proprietary n-CoDeR/F.I.R.S.T.TM platforms.

Certain sequences for an undisclosed target will be selected for encoding within Transgene's Invir.IO backbone to create a multi-functional OV.

In November 2018, Transgene and BioInvent presented positive data from their initial collaboration at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

These initial data covered the collaboration's work on an anti-CTLA-4 antibody-armed oncolytic vaccinia virus, based on Transgene's proprietary vaccinia virus (TK-, RR-) backbone. This enhanced oncolytic vaccinia virus demonstrated its ability to ensure the expression of BioInvent's anti-CTLA-4 antibody in the tumor with low systemic exposure.

It also showed improved efficacy and a better safety profile when compared to the combination of the antibody and the non-armed corresponding oncolytic virus given individually in pre-clinical models.

Consistent with the initial collaboration, research and development costs as well as revenues and royalties from the multifunctional OVs generated as a result of the new collaboration will be shared 50: 50.

Encoding BioInvent's antibodies sequences in Transgene's proprietary Invir.IOTM platform, for a direct expression into the tumor, promises to optimize the efficacy and tolerability of these antibodies.

Both Transgene and BioInvent believe that these novel multifunctional OVs could be significantly more effective than co-administering an OV and an antibody together.

Transgene is focused on designing and developing targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.

The company's programmes utilise viral vector technology with the goal of indirectly or directly killing infected or cancerous cells.

BioInvent International is focused on the discovery and development of novel and first-in-class immuno-modulatory antibodies to treat cancer. The company's lead programme BI-1206, is currently in Phase l/ll for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphatic leukemia.