MabVax, MSK, Juno Enter Antibody Discovery Pact

MabVax Therapeutics has entered into agreements with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and Juno Therapeutics for the development of antibody targeting therapeutic products derived from the fully-human antibodies discovered using its antibody discovery platform.  

MabVax will supply targeting sequences from the fully-human antibodies to MSK, which will conduct early stage R&D of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapeutics using the MabVax antibody sequences with the goal of producing anti-cancer therapeutics targeting certain solid tumors.

MabVax and Juno entered an exclusive option agreement providing Juno the right to negotiate a license agreement for exclusive rights to any CAR T-cell products using the antibody sequences provided to MSK. 

J. David Hansen, chief executive officer of MabVax, said, “We are excited that this research opportunity has come together.  We think that the human targeting sequences derived from our antibody program and incorporated into the very unique and promising CAR T-cell technology developed at MSKCC holds real promise for patients suffering from certain solid tumor cancers. We are very pleased to be able to be involved with Juno, a leader in this new and important therapeutic area.”