Mainz, Germany, 12th January 2016: BioNTech AG, a fully integrated biotechnology company developing innovative cancer immunotherapies, today announced that further to the co-development and commercialization agreement with Genmab signed in May 2015, BioNTech has triggered two milestone payments to be paid by Genmab to BioNTech. Under the terms of the agreement BioNTech is providing proprietary immunomodulatory antibodies and onco-immunotherapy expertise to be combined with Genmab’s innovative DuoBody® technology platform. The joint approach will allow the generation of superior bispecific antibodies that specifically stimulate the immune system against cancer. BioNTech’s research has identified unique and proprietary properties related to a number of distinct immunomodulatory antibodies that form part of the collaboration, triggering the two milestone payments.
Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech, said: “We are pleased to be making rapid progress in our collaboration with Genmab to generate novel bispecific antibodies with unique immunomodulatory biology for the treatment of cancer. This is an important demonstration of BioNTech’s ability to successfully collaborate and move disruptive immunotherapies forward with partners such as Genmab that are committed to true innovation for the benefit of cancer patients.”
For further information, please contact:
BioNTech AG
Regina Jehle
Tel: +49 (0) 6131 9084 1273
Email: Regina.Jehle@biontech.de
Hume Brophy
Mary Clark, Eva Haas, Hollie Vile
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3440 5813
Email: biontech@humebrophy.com
Notes to editors
About BioNTech AG
BioNTech AG is an immunotherapy leader with bench-to-market capabilities, developing truly personalized, well-tolerated & potent treatments for cancer and other diseases. Established by clinicians and scientists, the Group is pioneering disruptive technologies ranging from individualized mRNA based medicines through innovative Chimeric Antigen Receptors /T-cell Receptor-based products and novel antibody checkpoint immunomodulators. BioNTech’s clinical programs are supported by an in-house molecular diagnostics unit whose products include MammaTyper®, a molecular in-vitro diagnostic kit marketed under CE and IVD marking in Europe and certain other countries. Founded in 2008, BioNTech is privately held and shareholders include the MIG Fonds, Salvia, and the Strüngmann Family Office, with the Strüngmann Family Office as the majority shareholder. Information about BioNTech is available at www.biontech.de.
