immatics, Roche deal
immatics partnered with Roche to develop and commercialize cancer vaccines and immunotherapies containing tumor-associated peptides (TUMAPs). Roche will be responsible for the clinical development of a "number" of TUMAP-based cancer vaccines, including immatics' IMA942, and immunotherapies. IMA942 is slated to start a Phase I trial for gastric cancer in 2014. immatics will use its XPRESIDENT antigen discovery platform to discover additional TUMAP candidates for vaccines and compounds targeting gastric cancer, prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) peptides. Roche will select the best platform to express the identified TUMAPs and translate them into vaccines and immunotherapies. The pharma said it will have exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize TUMAP-based products that it selects. immatics will receive $17 million up front and undisclosed research funding. The biotech is also eligible for over $1 billion in milestones, plus royalties. ...