AbbVie boosts T cell engager efforts with $65M EvolveImmune deal

AbbVie, a prominent player in the T cell engager field, is expanding its efforts with a new collaboration with EvolveImmune Therapeutics. The Chicago-based pharmaceutical company will initially pay EvolveImmune $65 million through upfront payments and equity investments. Additionally, AbbVie may provide up to $1.4 billion in milestone payments and fees if it decides to license the programs. This partnership will concentrate on developing treatments for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

This collaboration reinforces the innovative research and development at EvolveImmune, which has already secured around $72 million in funding from venture capital investors, as well as from major pharmaceutical companies Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and Takeda through their corporate venture arms. EvolveImmune CEO Stephen Bloch expressed optimism about the potential of next-generation T cell engagers in transforming patient treatment outcomes. According to Bloch, the industry is at the beginning of a significant wave of advancements in this area.

The agreement between AbbVie and EvolveImmune is part of a broader trend of T cell engager-related deals and partnerships. Recently, GSK announced a $300 million upfront payment to acquire an oncology T cell engager from Chimagen, which it plans to investigate for lupus treatment next year. Similarly, Genmab formed a partnership with Revitope Oncology to focus on solid tumors. Earlier in the year, Merck invested $700 million in acquiring a Curon asset, while Candid Therapeutics raised $370 million, and Clasp Therapeutics secured $150 million.

AbbVie is well-versed in T cell engagers, as it currently markets the lymphoma treatment Epkinly in collaboration with Genmab. Additionally, AbbVie progressed to Phase 3 trials with another TCE, ABBV-383, in June.

The funding from AbbVie will support EvolveImmune’s lead internal program, EVOLVE-104, which is expected to enter clinical trials by mid-next year. According to Bloch, the company is not planning another private funding round before the Phase 1 trial but remains open to future financing opportunities.

EvolveImmune has incorporated a co-stimulatory molecule in its programs, which activates CD2, to enhance durability. Bloch explained that T cell engagement through CD3 alone is insufficient and can lead to T cell exhaustion and dysfunction. He highlighted the importance of a holistic system approach rather than relying on multiple therapies or antibodies to achieve the desired outcomes.

The application of T cell engagers for autoimmune diseases has also become a focal point in recent agreements. Bloch mentioned that EvolveImmune has a CD20 program that may be applicable for autoimmune conditions but plans to wait for results from other autoimmune TCE studies expected in 2025. The company is not ruling out partnerships in the autoimmune sector.

EvolveImmune, which employs nearly 40 people, previously engaged in CRISPR/Cas9 discovery work within the CAR-T space. Bloch emphasized the significance of CAR-T therapies but noted that T cell engagers have the potential to offer cancer treatments to a broader range of patients, including those not treated at academic medical centers. He also pointed out the high costs associated with administering CAR-T therapies, highlighting the need for more accessible treatment options.