MedImmune and VasGene form research collaboration

Under the terms of the agreement, MedImmune will be responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of any resulting products.

VasGene will provide research and development support and receive an upfront fee, development and regulatory milestone payments, as well as royalties on any future marketed products, the sum of which has not been disclosed.

The monoclonal antibodies are designed to target a novel member of a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases, EphB4, as well as its ligand, EphrinB2.

EphB4 is a member of the Eph family, the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. EphB4 is found at high levels on tumor cells and in tumor-associated blood vessels. The binding of EphB4 to its ligand, EphrinB2, has been linked with the metastatic and angiogenic potential of many cancers. Furthermore, antibodies targeting EphB4 or EphrinB2 may selectively inhibit the growth and survival of tumor cells and tumor-associated blood vessels.

“As we further our research in this area, we hope to expand the growing body of knowledge regarding the role Eph receptors may play in cancers, and we look forward to working with VasGene to advance novel product candidates with potential therapeutic applications,” said Dr Peter Kiener, MedImmune’s senior vice president of research.