Xencor, Pfizer Enter Antibody Tech Pact

Pfizer has entered into a technology license and evaluation agreement with Xencor, Inc. to optimize its therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Pfizer will apply Xencor’s Xtend antibody half-life prolongation technology and XmAb ADCC enhancing technology for to its antibody drug candidates. Pfizer will have access to Xencor’s antibody technology for a non-exclusive research period for use in several of its discovery projects.

Pfizer has also taken a commercial license to Xencor’s technology for one program. Xencor will receive an upfront payment from Pfizer and is eligible to receive success-based payments upon commercialization of products using the technology. Financial details were not disclosed.

“We are delighted that a world-class leader in the antibody space such as Pfizer will be broadly investigating the use of Xencor’s antibody optimization technology within its R&D organization to potentially enhance specific properties of its therapeutic antibody drug candidates,” commented Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., Xencor’s chief executive officer.

“The ability to enhance the pharmaceutical properties of antibody drug molecules and customize this class of drugs for specific therapeutic settings is a central differentiating factor which Xencor will continue to pioneer,” commented James Posada, Ph.D., MBA, Xencor’s acting chief business officer.