TegMine Therapeutics, a biotech company specializing in precision oncology by targeting cancer-driving glycoproteins, has announced a strategic research and development collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. The partnership will utilize TegMine’s proprietary 2-Factor Antibody System to create more selective and better-tolerated antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics.
The collaboration will initially focus on developing therapies targeting a clinically validated antigen, with the possibility of expanding to two additional targets. TegMine’s unique TegMiner™ platform enables the discovery of novel tumor-specific glycan epitopes that are typically undetectable by conventional methods. Their 2-Factor Antibody System enhances therapeutic precision by requiring dual recognition of glycan and protein markers, aiming to increase specificity and efficacy while reducing on-target, off-tumor toxicity and improving patient safety.
Jeff Bernstein, Ph.D., CEO of TegMine, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, noting that tumor-associated glycans are common in aggressive solid tumors but largely absent in healthy tissue. He highlighted that the 2-Factor Antibody System unlocks access to tumor-associated antigens previously unreachable by other technologies and expressed enthusiasm for advancing these therapies alongside Boehringer Ingelheim.
Financial terms of the agreement include an upfront payment and research funding per target, with additional fees for each selected target option. TegMine may also receive milestone payments related to preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial achievements, plus royalties on net sales of any resulting products. Boehringer Ingelheim holds global development and commercial rights for all targets identified during the collaboration.