Selexis expands immuno-oncology alliance with Agenus

Selexis SA, a pioneering life sciences company and a global leader in mammalian cell line generation technology, announced today that it has signed additional commercial license agreements (CLAs) with Agenus Inc., (NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology company with a pipeline of immune-modulating antibodies, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies.¹ Under the new CLAs, Agenus will leverage Selexis' modular SUREtechnology Platform™ for the rapid, stable, and cost-effective production of its therapeutic proteins.

"It's gratifying to have the opportunity to play a part in Agenus' mission to redefine cancer treatment by advancing promising new biologics for individuals living with cancer," said Yemi Onakunle, PhD, MBA, Selexis vice president, licensing and business development. "The Selexis team has a notable track record of success in helping our partners overcome protein-expression challenges and advance products rapidly and safely through the clinic to the market where they can be made available to patients in need."

The Selexis SUREtechnology Platform improves the way mammalian cells are used in the discovery, development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins and drugs. The platform provides key significant advantages over traditional approaches, enabling: speed, high-yield, stability and flexibility.

"Our fully integrated capabilities, from early discovery of protein therapeutics to GMP manufacturing, allows us to rapidly produce and clinically test promising new drug candidates thereby delivering innovation with speed. A critical step in this process is the in-house development of commercially viable cell-lines expressing novel and complex proteins," said Alex Duncan, PhD, chief technology officer at Agenus. "We have successfully used the Selexis' platform to drive our lead anti-CTLA4 (AGEN1884) and anti-PD1 (AGEN2034) programs, and are excited to partner with them to advance our novel single agent and multi-specific antibody programs."

¹ Through AgenTus Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Agenus