Milan, Italy 22 March 2023 – CheckmAb S.r.l. announces a collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop a new therapeutic option for cancer patients – a first-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb) for cancer immunotherapy in a broad variety of cancers.

Cancer immunotherapies have set off a revolution in the treatment of cancer. The current immune checkpoint inhibitors are only effective for a minority of cancer patients and can cause serious immune-related adverse events further restricting their use.

CheckmAb’s approach offers the potential to overcome these limitations and improve patient outcomes by activating anti-tumor immune responses without disrupting other functions of the immune system. The antibody therapy selectively targets tumor-infiltrating regulatory T-cells (Tregs) without affecting other immune cells outside of the tumor. The new collaboration further strengthens Boehringer Ingelheim’s immune-oncology pipeline to achieve the company’s generational commitment to transform the lives of people with cancer by delivering meaningful advances with the ultimate goal to cure a range of cancers.

“We are looking forward to working with Boehringer Ingelheim’s scientists to translate CheckmAb’s unique insights in the biology and targeting of Tregs into new treatments to transform the lives of people living with cancer,” said Renata Maria Grifantini, Chief Scientific Officer of CheckmAb. “This agreement is CheckmAb’s first strategic partnership for one of its molecules and has the potential to enable breakthrough therapies for multiple tumor indications across patient populations.”

After an initial period of joint research, Boehringer Ingelheim will assume all development and commercial responsibilities. The company will also receive an exclusive, worldwide license to develop target specific antibodies and other molecules for all purposes from CheckMab, in exchange for an upfront payment, and a series of milestone related payments up to EUR 240 million. CheckmAb is also eligible to receive mid-single digit royalties on the sale of any products arising from the collaboration and licenses. 

CheckmAb Srl is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing antibody target candidates for cancer and autoimmune diseases, present only in the diseased tissues and not present in other sites of the body.

At present, Checkmab is developing antibodies specific for tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes with potential application across multiple cancers.

The CheckmAb technology is based on the unique insights and expertise of its founders and scientists in characterizing and specifically targeting tumor infiltrating, regulatory T-cells, and derives from the translational research approach developed at INGM, the Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Enrica Ivernizzi” and at the University of Milan.

The company is based in Milan, Italy; the shareholders are the founders (Massimiliano Pagani and Sergio Abrignani, professors at the University of Milano) , the INGM S.p.A . , the University of Milano while the main partner is Xyence Capital SGR Italy’s leading healthcare-focused venture capital and private equity fund.

For more information, please visit www.Checkmab.eu

Media contact:

Dr. Renata Maria Grifantini
CheckmAb S.r.l.
Via Francesco Sforza, 35 20122 Milano
Tel. +39 02 0066 0201
Email: renata.grifantini@checkmab.eu