Medigene AG and EpimAb Biotherapeutics, Inc. (EpimAb), announced that the companies have entered a strategic co-development agreement to research and develop off-the-shelf T cell receptor (TCR)-guided T Cell Engagers (TCR-TCEs) for the treatment of immune-related disorders, such as solid tumors.

The multi-target collaboration combines the respective expertise of each company with Medigene’s 3S (sensitive, specific and safe) TCR generation and characterization capabilities and EpimAb’s proprietary CD3 antibody and T-FIT (TCR-Fab in tandem) platform. The resultant bispecific therapeutics are expected to provide highly specific targeted immune responses with minimized off-target effects and thus, improved patient outcomes. The companies aim to co-develop TCR-TCE constructs, which will be owned equally by both partners.

“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.”

”EpimAb is looking forward to discover new TCR-TCEs with Medigene’s unique TCRs,” said Chengbin Wu, CEO and Founder of EpimAb. ”Together we can open up new possibilities for our T-FIT and CD3 binding platforms to develop novel targeted therapies for cancer patients.”

The market for bispecific therapies represents a significant opportunity in the fight against cancer, addressing the critical unmet need in both solid and hematologic tumors. Annually, over 5 million cancer patients worldwide, suffering from solid and hematologic cancers, face low five-year survival rates, highlighting the urgent demand for innovative treatments. Bispecific TCR-TCEs offer a promising solution, leveraging the body’s immune system to target and eradicate cancer cells with heightened precision.

The market for these therapies is projected to experience compound annual growth rate of 40.9% from 2023 to 2030, underscoring the robust and accelerating interest in this field. By 2030, the market is estimated to exceed USD80 billion (source: KBV Research) reflecting its substantial potential to improve patient outcomes and revolutionize treatment of cancer and other diseases.