Vir Biotechnology Strengthens Drug Discovery Capabilities Through License Agreement

By Tamara Parker • Tuesday, September 10 15:27 • Permanent Link

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIR) has announced the closing of an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Sanofi, strengthening its drug discovery capabilities in oncology and infectious disease. The agreement provides Vir with an exclusive worldwide license to three clinical-stage masked T-cell engagers (TCEs) and exclusive use of the proprietary Pro-XtenTM masking platform for oncology and infectious disease.

The clinical-stage assets licensed under the agreement include SAR446309, a dual-masked HER2-targeted TCE in a phase 1 clinical study for participants with metastatic treatment-resistant HER2+ tumors such as breast and colorectal cancers. SAR446329, a dual-masked PSMA-targeted TCE, is in a phase 1 clinical study for participants with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. SAR446368, a dual-masked EGFR targeted TCE, is expected to begin enrollment in the first quarter of 2025 for participants with EGFR-expressing tumors of various types.

The Pro-Xten proprietary masking platform can be applied to TCEs, cytokines, and other molecules, potentially broadening the therapeutic index for patients. The technology leverages the high protease activity of the tumor microenvironment to specifically activate drug candidates in tumor tissues, potentially increasing the therapeutic index by minimizing off-target activity and toxicity associated with systemic immune activation seen with traditional TCEs.

Marianne De Backer, M.Sc., Ph.D., MBA, Vir’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed excitement about advancing the masked T-cell engagers in clinical development, stating that the agreement represents a significant opportunity to help address patient unmet needs and adds near-term value creation opportunities.

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing medicines for serious infectious diseases and cancer. In addition to the exclusive worldwide license agreement, key employees from Sanofi with extensive scientific and development expertise in TCEs and in-depth experience using the Pro-Xten platform will join Vir. The market has reacted to these announcements by moving the company's shares 2.2% to a price of $8.0. For the full picture, make sure to review Vir Biotechnology's 8-K report.

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