Boehringer Ingelheim and Tessellate Bio Collaborate on Novel Precision Cancer Treatments

Boehringer Ingelheim and Tessellate Bio have announced a new partnership aimed at developing innovative cancer treatments through a research collaboration and global license agreement. This collaboration focuses on creating groundbreaking oral precision therapies for cancer patients, particularly targeting tumors that rely on a mechanism known as alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) for growth. Such tumors are found in approximately 10-15% of all cancers and are often linked to negative outcomes and limited treatment options.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tessellate Bio will receive immediate financial benefits, including an upfront license fee and research funding, along with technical milestone payments. The total value of the partnership is estimated to exceed €500 million, contingent upon reaching certain success-based milestones.

Lamine Mbow, Global Head of Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the potential to develop pioneering treatments for ALT positive tumors. This partnership aligns with Boehringer Ingelheim's commitment to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes. Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading biopharmaceutical company, is renowned for its dedication to research and development, particularly in addressing unmet medical needs in the field of oncology.

Andree Blaukat, CEO of Tessellate Bio, emphasized the significance of this collaboration as their first partnership with a pharmaceutical company. He expressed confidence in Boehringer Ingelheim as the ideal partner to advance their innovative program targeting ALT positive cancers. This alignment supports Tessellate Bio's strategic approach to introducing new, targeted treatment options based on synthetic lethality across a broader spectrum of cancers.

Tessellate Bio has been working on developing inhibitors for an undisclosed target that is crucial in the unchecked growth of ALT positive cancer cells. By blocking this target, there is potential to cause increased DNA damage and replication stress, ultimately leading to the death of tumor cells, while sparing healthy cells that do not depend on this mechanism.

Boehringer Ingelheim operates as a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. It is one of the top investors in research and development within the industry, focusing on creating therapies that can significantly improve and extend lives, addressing areas of high unmet medical need. With a history dating back to 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim remains independent and places a strong emphasis on sustainability throughout its operations. The company employs approximately 54,500 people and serves more than 130 markets worldwide.

Tessellate Bio, headquartered in the Netherlands with laboratories in the UK, was founded based on pioneering research by globally recognized scientists Hilda Pickett, Roger Reddel, and Claus Azzalin. Supported by prominent life science investors BioGeneration Ventures and Forbion, Tessellate Bio is dedicated to advancing precision oncology through innovative approaches.

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the development of targeted cancer therapies, offering new hope to patients with ALT positive tumors. Through their combined expertise and resources, Boehringer Ingelheim and Tessellate Bio aim to transform the landscape of cancer treatment, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by this disease.