On September 10, 2014 MabVax Therapeutics reported it has entered into agreements with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and Juno Therapeutics (Juno) for the development of novel therapeutic products using antibody targeting sequences derived from the fully-human antibodies discovered using the Company’s internally developed antibody discovery platform (Press release MabVax, SEP 10, 2014, View Source [SID:1234500743]).
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Under the agreements, MabVax will supply unique targeting sequences from the fully-human antibodies to MSK. Pursuant to the agreement with MSK, researchers at MSK will conduct the early stage research and development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapeutics using the MabVax antibody sequences and then test them both in vitro and in animal models with the objective of producing anti-cancer therapeutics targeting certain solid tumors.
MabVax and Juno entered into an exclusive option agreement giving Juno the right to negotiate a license agreement for exclusive rights to any CAR T-cell therapeutic products using the antibody sequences provided to MSKCC.
J. David Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of MabVax, said, "We are excited that this research opportunity has come together. We think that the human targeting sequences derived from our antibody program and incorporated into the very unique and promising CAR T-cell technology developed at MSKCC holds real promise for patients suffering from certain solid tumor cancers. We are very pleased to be able to be involved with Juno, a leader in this new and important therapeutic area."
MabVax’s antibody discovery effort has resulted in a pipeline of fully human antibodies to eleven separate cancer targets consistently overexpressed on solid tumor cancers. The lead antibody 5B1 has been the subject of multiple recent press releases, including the announcement of the receipt of a $1.5 million National Institutes of Health contract to develop a radiolabeled version of the antibody as a novel PET imaging agent for pancreatic cancer.