Royalty Report: Drugs, Cancer, Antibody – Collection: 286413

AGEN1884 is a type of immunotherapy, a treatment that acts to improve the immune system’s ability to target and kill cancer cells.

DART platform enables us to design multi-specific molecules that seek to exploit different mechanisms.

The patents are titled

(a) U.S. Patent Application Number 60/092,672, filed July 13, 1998, entitled “Cancer Treatment Using Antibodies to Aminophospholipids” (UT SOUTHWESTERN File Reference UTSD0549PZ1);

(b) U.S. Patent Application Number 60/110,608, filed December 2, 1998, entitled “Cancer Treatment Using Antibodies to Aminophospholipids” (UT SOUTHWESTERN File Reference UTSD0549PZ2);

(c) U.S. Patent Application Number 09/351,543, filed July 12, 1999, entitled “ Cancer Treatment Methods Using Antibodies to Aminophospholipids” (UT SOUTHWESTERN File Reference UTSD0549);

(d) U.S. Patent Application Number 09/351,862, filed July 12, 1999, entitled “ Cancer Treatment Kits Using Antibodies to Aminophospholipids” (UT SOUTHWESTERN File Reference UTSD0549-1);

Bavituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets and binds to phosphatidylserine (“PS”), a highly immunosuppressive molecule that is usually located inside the membrane of healthy cells, but then “flips” and becomes exposed on the outside of cells in the tumor microenvironment, causing the tumor to evade immune detection. Bavituximab targets and binds to PS to block this immunosuppressive pathway and simultaneously activates adaptive immunity, thereby enabling the immune system to recognize and fight the tumor.

The Licensor and the Licensee formed a global alliance focused on novel immuno-therapeutics using the Licensor's proprietary Retrocyte Displayâ„¢ antibody discovery platform. The collaboration is initially focused on the development of checkpoint modulator antibodies directed against GITR, OX40, LAG-3 and TIM-3.

LAG-3 is a checkpoint protein expressed on the surface of certain cells of the immune system. LAG-3 (lymphocyte-activation gene 3) modulates signaling between immune cells and their targets. When LAG-3 is activated, the immune response is suppressed. Antibodies that block LAG-3 can block this inhibitory signal, thereby boosting the immune system’s response against cancer cells. LAG-3 acts synergistically with other checkpoint modulators. This suggests antibodies against LAG-3 may be valuable as combination therapies.

TIM-3 is a checkpoint receptor found on certain immune cells. TIM-3 stands for T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3. To prevent hyperactivation, natural ligands binding to TIM-3 reduce the activity of these immune cells. In some types of cancer, T cells express elevated levels of TIM-3, which results in excessive immune suppression. Blocking TIM-3 could stimulate immune responses and promote immune-mediated clearing of cancer cells. TIM-3 antibodies may have a role as a monotherapy and hold great potential in combination therapy, since they may help overcome resistance that patients may develop against other therapeutics.

Checkpoint antibodies effect the immune system, and are now being used in cancer treatment.

The Field means any use of Antibodies for the treatment, control, mitigation, prevention or cure of any or all Indications in humans or animals in the Hematology Field and the Oncology Field