Medigene AG and EpimAb Biotherapeutics announced a strategic co-development agreement to research and develop off-the-shelf T cell receptor (TCR)-guided T Cell Engagers (TCR-TCEs) for treating solid tumors and other immune-related disorders. The partnership aims to create novel bispecific therapeutics with highly specific targeted immune responses while minimizing off-target effects.
The collaboration leverages Medigene's expertise in 3S (sensitive, specific, and safe) TCR generation and characterization alongside EpimAb's proprietary CD3 antibody and T-FIT (TCR-Fab in tandem) platform. Under the agreement, both companies will equally own the TCR-TCE constructs they co-develop.
Strategic Significance of the Partnership
"We are delighted to partner with EpimAb and their proprietary T-FIT platform, which is well validated with strong clinical data and a number of prominent recent partnering deals, to develop potential best-in-class TCR-TCEs, leveraging our expert 3S TCR generation capabilities," said Selwyn Ho, CEO of Medigene AG. "This co-development agreement further expands the application of Medigene's TCRs into off-the-shelf TCR-guided modalities and underscores our commitment to forging value-driven partnerships that expand our pipeline in areas of high unmet patient need."
Chengbin Wu, CEO and founder of EpimAb, expressed similar enthusiasm: "EpimAb is looking forward to discover new TCR-TCEs with Medigene's unique TCRs. Together we can open up new possibilities for our T-FIT and CD3 binding platforms to develop novel targeted therapies for cancer patients."
Market Opportunity and Unmet Need
The bispecific therapy market represents a significant opportunity in oncology, addressing critical unmet needs in both solid and hematologic tumors. Over 5 million cancer patients worldwide face low five-year survival rates annually, highlighting the urgent demand for innovative treatments.
Industry projections indicate the market for these therapies will experience a compound annual growth rate of 40.9% from 2023 to 2030, with estimates suggesting it will exceed $80 billion by 2030, according to KBV Research. This growth reflects the substantial potential of bispecific therapies to improve patient outcomes and revolutionize cancer treatment.
Technical Mechanism of TCR-TCEs
TCR-guided T cell engagers represent an innovative "off-the-shelf" immunotherapy approach that leverages the specificity of TCRs to guide T cells toward cancer cells. Unlike conventional antibodies, TCRs can recognize both intracellular and extracellular targets presented by peptide-HLA complexes on cancer cells, allowing for a broader range of targetable antigens.
Medigene's End-To-End Platform discovers natural TCR sequences with high specificity, sensitivity, and safety (3S). These optimal 3S TCRs are subsequently merged with a Cluster of Differentiation 3 (CD3) T cell engaging antibody.
The resulting TCR-TCEs specifically redirect the patient's own T cells toward cancer cells by binding the 3S TCR to targets (cancer-testis antigens or neoantigens) almost exclusively present on tumor cells. When T cells are brought into proximity of cancer cells, they are activated through the CD3-engaging antibody, leading to the release of cytokines and cytotoxic molecules that facilitate cancer cell killing.
Expanding Portfolio of Collaborations
This partnership follows Medigene's August 2024 collaboration with WuXi Biologics for TCR-TCE development targeting challenging tumors, demonstrating the company's commitment to expanding its pipeline through strategic partnerships.
About the Companies
Medigene AG is an immuno-oncology platform company dedicated to developing TCR-guided therapies to effectively eliminate cancer. The company's 3S TCR technology forms the foundation of its therapeutic approach.
EpimAb Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in multispecific antibody development. The company's T-FIT platform has been validated through clinical data and multiple partnership agreements.
