UK-based biotechnology company Immunocore has entered into an agreement with Gadeta, a biopharmaceutical company, to develop the first gamma delta (γδ) ImmTAC therapies for solid tumours, including colorectal cancer.
The deal combines Immunocore’s T-cell receptor (TCR) bispecific engineering, development, and marketing capabilities with Gadeta’s gamma delta target and expertise in TCR identification.
Immunocore is engaged in developing TCR bispecific immunotherapies for a variety of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. Gadeta, which is based in the Netherlands, is focussed on developing gamma delta TCR-based immunotherapies for solid tumours.
The Dutch clinical-stage company is said to have identified a portfolio of new gamma delta-TCRs. Among these is a TCR referred to as ‘201, which is claimed to precisely identify an alarm signal on the surface of cancer cells that are not HLA-restricted.
Gadeta is developing the candidate as GDT201 in its proprietary cell therapy platform.
Immunocore research and development head David Berman said: “Immunocore pioneered TCR therapy with the launch of KIMMTRAK and we continue to push the edge of TCR science, including researching non-HLA restricted TCR therapies, both internally and through collaborations that complement our platform.”
According to the terms of the agreement, Immunocore and Gadeta will work together to identify targets for the ‘201 TCR. As part of the research collaboration, the former will have the opportunity to create ImmTAC treatments based on the ‘201 TCR.
Immunocore also has an option for an exclusive license for additional research, development, and commercialisation of an ImmTAC candidate from the partnership.
Gadeta will be entitled to an upfront payment and development milestone and commercial milestone payments among others.
Gadeta CEO Marcel Zwaal said: “This agreement shows the potential of Gadeta’s new tumor targeting mechanism and it provides us with an opportunity for maximizing the impact of our suite of technologies for T cell related therapies, including the NOVA γδ-TCR discovery platform.”
