AbbVie has entered a partnership and option-to-license agreement with Xilio Therapeutics to develop new tumour-activated, antibody-based immunotherapies.
The initiative will include masked T-cell engagers and use Xilio’s technology.
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The partnership will combine the oncology expertise of AbbVie and Xilio’s tumour-activation technology.
Xilio will obtain upfront payments totalling $52m, which includes a $10m equity investment.
The company is eligible for up to $2.1bn in potential payments, comprising option-related fees, milestone payments and tiered royalties.
Xilio Therapeutics chief scientific officer Uli Bialucha stated: “This collaboration with AbbVie, a global leader in developing and commercialising oncology therapies, allows us to accelerate the expansion of our technology to next-generation immunotherapies, including T-cell engagers.
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By GlobalData“We look forward to working with the AbbVie team to apply our deep protein engineering expertise coupled with tumour-selective activation through our novel formats for masked T-cell engagers.”
Xilio has created a platform technology that has been clinically validated for tumour-activated biologics.
It is progressing with a range of immunotherapies in clinical and pre-clinical stages, including masked multispecific molecules.
These molecules are engineered to be activated selectively by the tumour, utilising optimised masking and other components tailored for the specific target.
The technology minimises systemic adverse events by focusing its activity within the tumour microenvironment.
This strategy involves the development of tumour-activated cytokines, bispecifics, immune cell engagers and antibodies, all aimed at optimising the therapeutic index.
AbbVie early oncology research and development vice-president Theodora Ross stated: “AbbVie is committed to expanding our research and development efforts in oncology. This includes the investigation of novel immunotherapy approaches that aim to generate improved next-generation cancer treatments for patients in need.”
The collaboration follows a partnership between AbbVie and Neomorph in January 2025, focusing on the development of molecular glue degraders. The treatments are intended for use in oncology and immunology.
