OSE Immunotherapeutics and Boehringer Ingelheim Enhance Partnership for Innovative Cancer and Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Treatments

OSE Immunotherapeutics and Boehringer Ingelheim have decided to significantly broaden their collaborative efforts to create pioneering treatments for cancer and cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) diseases. This announcement highlights the inclusion of two new projects into their existing anti-SIRPα immuno-oncology programs.

The first project aims to extend the therapeutic application of an already established asset to a broader patient base. The second project involves the acquisition of a new asset. This expansion of the collaboration and license agreement encompasses the anti-SIRPα immuno-oncology treatments, BI 765063 and BI 770371. These compounds are currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials for advanced solid tumors. The new development phase will now also target CRM diseases.

A preclinical program will be initiated to develop immune-cell activating treatments using OSE's cis-targeting anti-PD1/cytokine platform through the acquired asset. CRM diseases, which affect over a billion lives worldwide and cause approximately 20 million deaths annually, are interconnected and often exacerbate each other. Cancer, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths each year, often lacks effective treatment options for many patients.

These new development initiatives enhance Boehringer Ingelheim’s therapeutic pipeline and showcase the company's commitment to discovering and advancing new therapies for unmet patient needs, particularly in CRM diseases and cancer. The acquisition of the cis-targeting anti-PD1/cytokine platform asset will further augment Boehringer Ingelheim's range of potential immune-modulatory cancer treatments. Additionally, the ongoing development of anti-SIRPα compounds for a new indication will be integrated into the comprehensive CRM pipeline, with a Phase 2 clinical study slated to commence later this year.

Clive R. Wood, Corporate Senior Vice President and Global Head of Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, expressed satisfaction with the expansion of the partnership and the potential to improve patient outcomes in two of the most significant global health challenges. Nicolas Poirier, CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics, echoed this excitement, highlighting the collaboration's potential to bring breakthrough therapies to patients with CRM diseases and cancer.

OSE Immunotherapeutics will receive an upfront payment of EUR 13.5 million and a potential near-term milestone of EUR 17.5 million for the acquisition of a novel, cis-targeting anti-PD1/cytokine asset in its preclinical stage. Regarding the two ongoing anti-SIRPα programs, BI 765063 and BI 770371, the parties have agreed on a partial royalty buy-out, resulting in a one-time payment of EUR 25.3 million. Boehringer also retains an option for an additional buy-out during further development, triggering a one-time payment plus the increase of one sales milestone. All other development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments of up to €1.1 billion remain unchanged under the original agreement.

OSE Immunotherapeutics is dedicated to developing first-in-class assets in immuno-oncology (IO) and immuno-inflammation (I&I). The company's clinical pipeline includes a variety of promising candidates like Tedopi®, OSE-279, OSE-127, and FR-104/VEL-101, each targeting different aspects of cancer and inflammation.

In summary, this expanded collaboration between OSE Immunotherapeutics and Boehringer Ingelheim represents a significant step forward in the development of innovative treatments for cancer and CRM diseases. By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, these companies aim to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing patients worldwide.