Samyang Biopharm USA has licensed in Belgium’s Talix Therapeutics’ first-in-class immuno-oncology compound for global rights, the companies said Tuesday.

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, Samyang Biopharmaceuticals’ subsidiary will gain the research rights, as well as exclusive options to worldwide rights for development, manufacturing and commercialization of Talix’s anti-CD96 antibody.




The anti-CD96 antibody is a first-in-class compound that is currently in preclinical phase. Samyang and Talix will jointly run the preclinical trials, and depending on the result, will carry out global clinical trials.

Antibodies to CD96 have been reported to protect mice from tumors by activating T cells. In vivo studies, or studies done in living organisms, have reportedly shown evidence that such antibodies can synergize with PD-1 checkpoint blocking molecules that allows T cells to kill tumor cells.

Samyang’s collaboration with Talix is the second partnership disclosed by the company in recent weeks. On Dec. 2, Samyang announced an exclusive global license-in of US-based CanCure’s first-in-class immune stimulatory monoclonal antibody targeting soluble MHC class 1 chain-related protein, a byproduct of tumor cells.

Samyang Biopharm USA was established in August 2018 in Boston’s biocluster Kendall Square.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)