Amgen and Advaxis, a Princeton, New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company, have signed a global agreement for the development and commercialization of Advaxis’ ADXS-NEO, a preclinical investigational cancer immunotherapy treatment that is designed to activate a patient’s immune system to respond against the unique mutations, or neoepitopes, contained in and identified from each individual patient’s tumor. This collaboration brings together Amgen’s development expertise in immuno-oncology with Advaxis’ MINE (My Immunotherapy Neo-Epitopes) program, which is positioned to develop a customized approach to cancer treatment.

Under the agreement, Amgen receives exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ADXS-NEO. Amgen will make an upfront payment to Advaxis of $40 million and purchase $25 million of Advaxis common stock. Amgen will be fully responsible for funding clinical and commercial activities. Advaxis will lead the clinical development of ADXS-NEO through proof-of-concept, retain manufacturing responsibilities, and receive development, regulatory and sales milestone payments of up to $475 million and potential high single-digit to mid-double digit royalty payments based on worldwide sales.

Source: Amgen