Agenus Inc. (formerly known as Agenus Therapeutics) is not claiming to be close to a cure for any form of cancer, but they are making significant strides in developing innovative cancer therapies.

 

"The rapid and complete resolution of aggressive MSS colorectal cancer tumors observed in this study is unprecedented in the field" says the author Dr. Kasi

Agenus is focused on immuno-oncology, to leverage the immune system to fight cancer. 

Here are some of their notable developments:

1. Checkpoint Inhibitors: Agenus has been working on various checkpoint inhibitors, which are drugs designed to block proteins that prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells. Their pipeline includes anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, which are well-known targets in cancer immunotherapy.

2. Next-Generation Bispecific Antibodies: These are engineered to bind to two different targets simultaneously. This approach can help direct immune cells more effectively to cancer cells.

3. Cell Therapy: Agenus has been exploring the potential of cell therapy, particularly with their iNKT cell therapy platform. This involves using engineered invariant natural killer T cells to target and destroy cancer cells.

4. Neoantigen Vaccines: Agenus has been developing personalized cancer vaccines that target neoantigens, which are unique mutations found in an individual's tumor. This personalized approach aims to enhance the immune response against cancer cells.

5. Combinations and Partnerships: Agenus is also known for combining their therapies with those of other companies, either through collaborations or licensing agreements. These combinations are designed to improve the efficacy of existing treatments and explore new therapeutic avenues.

While these advancements are promising and show potential in treating various forms of cancer, it is important to note that a "cure" for cancer is a complex and multifaceted goal. Cancer is a group of diseases with diverse characteristics, and what might work for one type of cancer or patient may not work for another. Thus, the focus remains on developing effective treatments that can extend survival and improve quality of life for cancer patients.

The progress of Agenus in clinical trials and their collaborations with other companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry are steps towards potentially transformative cancer treatments. However, claiming a cure would be premature without further extensive clinical validation and regulatory approval.

Agenus Inc. has formed several strategic partnerships with various pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to advance its immuno-oncology pipeline. These collaborations aim to leverage the strengths of each partner to develop and commercialize innovative cancer therapies. Here are some notable partnerships:

1. Gilead Sciences:

   • In December 2018, Agenus entered into a partnership with Gilead Sciences. Gilead received worldwide exclusive rights to Agenus' bispecific antibody program and access to its proprietary cancer immunotherapy platform. The deal included an upfront payment, potential milestone payments, and royalties on future sales.

2. Incyte Corporation:

   • Agenus has multiple collaborations with Incyte Corporation. The first, established in 2015, involved the development and commercialization of checkpoint inhibitors targeting GITR, OX40, and TIM-3. In 2017, they expanded their partnership to include an exclusive global license for an undisclosed novel target and additional collaborative work on undisclosed novel antibody candidates.

3. Merck & Co. (MSD):

   • Agenus has collaborated with Merck to evaluate the combination of Agenus' QS-21 Stimulon adjuvant with Merck's vaccines. QS-21 Stimulon is an adjuvant used to enhance the body's immune response to vaccines.

4. Betta Pharmaceuticals:

   • In 2020, Agenus partnered with Betta Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize balstilimab (an anti-PD-1 antibody) and zalifrelimab (an anti-CTLA-4 antibody) in Greater China. This partnership aims to expand the clinical and commercial reach of these immuno-oncology assets.

5. UroGen Pharma:

   • Agenus and UroGen Pharma collaborated to explore the potential use of Agenus' anti-CTLA-4 antibody zalifrelimab in combination with UroGen's RTGel™ delivery platform for the treatment of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HG-NMIBC).

6. Boehringer Ingelheim:

   • In 2021, Agenus entered into a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to research and develop novel bispecific antibodies in the field of immuno-oncology. The collaboration includes upfront payments, milestones, and royalties on future sales.

These partnerships highlight Agenus' strategy to collaborate with leading companies to enhance the development and potential commercialization of its immuno-oncology therapies.

Through these collaborations, Agenus aims to accelerate the development of innovative treatments and expand its global reach in the oncology market.

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