Macomics and Ono Pharmaceutical have entered a worldwide drug discovery collaboration agreement to develop new immuno-oncology antibody drugs against a novel macrophage target of interest in cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Macomics will identify and characterise antibody candidates against the novel target of interest using its ENIGMAC macrophage drug discovery platform.
Ono will have an exclusive option to license global rights to the candidates for further development and commercialisation. Macomics will receive an up-front payment, R&D funding, and success-based milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties based on global net sales.
Macomics’ ENIGMAC macrophage drug discovery platform integrates large volume human data sets, custom cell models, and human macrophage genome editing capability to discover novel targets and unlock disease specific target biology. Macrophages (TAMs) are often the most abundant immune cell and modulating TAMs can enhance the body’s ability to fight cancer.
Toichi Takino, Senior Executive Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono said: “Targeting macrophages in immune-oncology is emerging as an exciting area with significant opportunity to deliver novel therapeutics to improve cancer outcomes and to change the lives of patients with cancer.”
Stephen Myatt, CEO of Macomics, added: “Ono is a leader in immuno-oncology and we are delighted to have a partner in Ono who brings the complementary skills necessary to succeed in this therapeutic area.”
