AbbVie has signed an option-to-license agreement with EvolveImmune Therapeutics to develop multispecific biologics for multiple targets in oncology.

The discovery partnership will leverage EvolveImmune's T-cell engager platform to develop novel antibody-based therapies for solid and hematologic malignancies.

EvolveImmune's proprietary EVOLVE platform is designed to deliver potent, selective and integrated T-cell co-stimulation to amplify and sustain the tumor killing capacity of the T-cells. This approach aims to bypass low tumor immunogenicity, conditionally activate adaptive immunity and reduce T-cell dysfunction to overcome therapeutic challenges in solid and hematologic tumors.

"AbbVie is dedicated to advancing the understanding of devastating diseases like cancer and investing in groundbreaking technologies and therapeutic platforms, to deliver novel treatments for patients with high unmet needs," said Jonathon Sedgwick, PhD, senior vice president and global head of discovery research, AbbVie.

"We are excited to collaborate with the talented team at EvolveImmune to further advance their novel T-cell engager platform technology," Sedgwick added.

"This collaboration with AbbVie, a global leader in oncology, offers tremendous validation of the EVOLVE platform and the dedicated and creative work of the EvolveImmune team. We believe that EVOLVE, with its differentiated CD2 co-stimulation strategy, represents a potential next-generation, best-in-class T-cell engager platform and that our technology may offer clinically meaningful benefits for patients," said Stephen Bloch, MD, Chief Executive Officer of EvolveImmune.

Under terms of the agreement, EvolveImmune will receive USD 65 million in aggregate upfront fees and equity investment from AbbVie and is eligible for up to USD 1.4 billion in aggregate option fees and milestones, as well as tiered royalty payments on net sales.