Oxford, which is focused on the development of innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, secured the rights under its existing strategic collaboration with Amgen.
The British firm intends to use the antibodies and ADC technology to develop a new ADC targeting a protein in HER2-negative breast cancer, initially focusing on triple negative breast cancer, and other cancers, where the target is expressed.
The target was identified using the company’s OGAP discovery technology.
Oxford’s pipeline of ADCs is based on new targets, discovered with its OGAP technology, combined with antibody and cancer toxin technologies.
The pipeline includes a fully human antibody generated using Amgen’s Xenomouse technology, combined with one of ImmunoGen’s maytansinoid cancer-killing agents, which have been used in a recently approved ADC targeting HER2-positive breast cancer.
Oxford BioTherapeutics CEO Christian Rohlff said securing these global rights represents a further strategic milestone for the company, as it complete its transition into a fully-fledged antibody-based cancer therapy business.
"By combining these antibodies and antibody ‘arming’ technology with our unique cancer target, we have the opportunity to develop an important new treatment for women with triple negative breast cancer who currently have limited therapeutic options," Rohlff said.