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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and MONROVIA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) and Xencor, Inc. announced today that they will collaborate to develop XmAb®5871, an Fc- engineered monoclonal antibody dually targeting CD19 and CD32b. XmAb5871 is currently in late-stage preclinical development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen has the option to an exclusive worldwide license following the completion of a pre-defined Phase 2 study. Xencor will lead all clinical development until that time. Xencor will receive an up-front and early development milestone payments. If Amgen does exercise its option, Amgen will assume responsibility for future development, Xencor will receive an option-exercise fee which, combined with the up-front and early development milestones, will total $75 million, and Xencor could receive up to an additional $425 million in clinical, regulatory and commercialization milestone payments. Xencor will receive tiered royalties on future sales of XmAb5871.
Xencor's CD32b technology is a novel immunomodulatory platform consisting of engineered Fc domains with selective high affinity binding to FcyRIIb (CD32b), a receptor with dominant inhibitory activity on B cells and other immune cells. The CD32b pathway has never been therapeutically exploited and applied to high affinity antibodies targeting immune cells.
"XmAb5871 provides a novel approach to suppress B-cell function which will enhance Amgen's internal efforts in inflammatory diseases," said Joseph P. Miletich, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president, Research & Development at Amgen. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Xencor in exploring their novel immunomodulatory approach."
"Amgen's long-time leadership in antibody development for oncology and i
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