Janssen Enters $1.35B Collaboration with F-star to Develop Next-Generation Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics

On October 20, 2021, F-star Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Janssen Biotech, a Johnson & Johnson company. Under the terms of the agreement, F-star will grant Janssen an exclusive worldwide license to research, develop, and commercialize up to five novel bispecific antibodies targeting therapeutic targets selected by Janssen, utilizing F-star’s proprietary Fcab and tetravalent bispecific antibody (mAb2) platforms. Janssen will be responsible for all research, development, and commercialization activities under the agreement.

F-star’s Fcab platform enables the engineering of the Fc region of native antibodies to introduce two additional distinct antigen-binding sites. Consequently, the resulting tetravalent bispecific antibody, mAb2, not only binds two different antigens simultaneously but also delivers enhanced immune activation activity while maintaining a favorable safety profile. By retaining the native human antibody format, these bispecific antibodies minimize systemic toxicity and immunogenicity risk, and are highly manufacturable.

▲ The Fcab platform enables the addition of two antigen-binding sites to the Fc region of a native antibody (Image source: F-star official website)

mAb2 acts through three mechanisms:

1) Crosslinking: Bringing together two distinct cells, or two receptors on the same cell, to activate the immune system.

2) Clustering: Clusters receptors on the cell surface, activating key immune cell signaling pathways.

3）Conditional Activation (Conditionality): Prevents immune cells from being activated by healthy cells.

▲ 3 Mechanisms of Action of the Tetravalent Bispecific Antibody mAb2 (Image Source: F-star Official Website)

Under the terms of the agreement, F-star is entitled to receive an upfront payment of $17.5 million and potential milestone payments of up to $1.35 billion. F-star is also eligible to receive royalties on the annual net sales of future products.

References:

[1] F-star Therapeutics Announces License Agreement with Janssen to Develop and Commercialize Multiple Next Generation Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/10/20/2317334/0/en/F-star-Therapeutics-Announces-License-Agreement-with-Janssen-to-Develop-and-Commercialize-Multiple-Next-Generation-Bispecific-Antibody-Therapeutics.html

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