Tübingen-based Immatics N.V., a company focused on the development and manufacturing of T-cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) are expanding their strategic alliance to develop multiple allogeneic cell therapy programs.

Under this collaboration, Immatics and Bristol Myers Squibb will develop two programs for Bristol Myers Squibb. In addition, both companies have the option to develop up to four additional programs each. The programs will leverage Immatic's proprietary gamma-delta T-cell-based platform for developing allogeneic adoptive cell therapies (ACT) and Bristol Myers Squibb's next-generation technologies. Immatics will receive an upfront payment of $60m. If successful, milestone payments of up to $700m per program from Bristol Myers Squibb in the form of development, regulatory and commercialization milestone payments may be added, as well as tiered royalties in the low double digits on net product sales.

In addition, Bristol Myers Squibb and Immatics will expand their 2019 collaboration agreement focused on autologous T cell receptor-based therapy (TCR-T), with the inclusion of one additional TCR target discovered by Immatics. As part of this expansion, Immatics will receive an upfront payment of $20m and be eligible for milestone payments and royalties.

“The expansion of our collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb significantly advances our allogeneic cell therapy development strategy,” commented Harpreet Singh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Immatics. “We welcome opening another chapter of our work with a trusted partner and the expertise and capabilities both companies provide in cell therapy development to create novel medicines for cancer patients.

The allogeneic approach offers great advantages in the logistics of patient care. Gamma-delta T cells have therefore already attracted the interest of the pharmaceutical industry. Last year, for example, Japan's Takeda acquired the entire company Gammadelta Therapeutics in order to strengthen its own positioning in this market.