arGEN-X, a clinical stage human monoclonal antibody therapeutics company, cin its SIMPLE Antibody research program collaboration with Shire Pharmaceuticals' Human Genetic Therapies division.
The milestone, which was the first demonstration of in vivo proof of concept for one of the antibody discovery programs, triggered an undisclosed payment from Shire.
As part of the deal signed in February 2012, the companies are developing human therapeutic antibodies against complex targets involved in severe, rare genetic diseases.
Under the deal, Shire has an option to license the most promising antibody compounds from each collaborative program for further development and commercialization worldwide, for which arGEN-X will receive milestone and royalty payments.
arGEN-X has already received technology access fees and research funding under the licensing deal and is further eligible to receive preclinical success payments.
arGEN-X chief scientific officer Hans de Haard said, "This collaboration milestone is testament to the superiority of our proprietary SIMPLE Antibody platform and reinforces our brand in the complex targets space."
In January 2013, arGEN-X started a Phase Ib clinical trial for ARGX-110, an advanced SIMPLE Antibody program modulating CD70 through a unique mode of action in hematological and virally-induced solid tumors.
Additionally, the company has started a Phase Ib trial for ARGX-111, a novel anti-c-Met antibody to treat diverse solid tumors, in September 2013.
