ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. announced a research collaboration and exclusive option license agreement with Xyphos Biosciences Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will jointly conduct research activities to identify and optimize proprietary LENS in silico generated antibodies, targeting an undisclosed target in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as potential therapeutic development candidates. Targeting this molecule has the potential to markedly enhance anti-tumor immunity with other Astellas therapies including chimeric antigen receptor-based (CAR) technologies. Astellas will have the exclusive option to license any development candidates generated as part of the collaboration.

Targeting this molecule in the TME with antibody therapeutics is a novel approach with no antibodies in clinical development. Developing next-generation checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies using new modalities is promising as an innovative healthcare solution. Through this collaboration The company expects to stimulate a highly specific and targeted attack on cancer cells by optimizing these development candidates and leveraging Astellas' flexible convertibleCAR cell therapy technology.