California-based Eureka Therapeutics and Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim have entered into a research agreement for the discovery of novel therapeutic antibodies in oncology.

Eureka Therapeutics will apply its proprietary human sequence antibody libraries and its unique technology platform to identify antibodies recognizing intracellular proteins, which represent approximately 90% of cancer-specific targets. Cancer-specific peptides that can be displayed via the MHC-complex (major histocompatibility complex) on the cell surface will be selected by Boehringer Ingelheim to develop better therapies for cancer patients for whom treatment options are inadequate or non-existent.

Boehringer Ingelheim will have the option to conduct further development and commercialization of the antibodies. Eureka Therapeutics will receive an undisclosed upfront technology access fee and research funding for each program, and may receive technical success fees, option exercise fees and other downstream payments.

Dr. Cheng Liu, president and CEO of Eureka Therapeutics, said, “Intracellular oncogenes represent 90% of cancer-specific antigens, many of which were considered ‘undruggable targets’ until recently. This collaboration builds upon Eureka’s success in discovery and development of fully human antibodies against intracellular oncogenes. We look forward to working with Boehringer Ingelheim to advance the immuno-oncology frontier and address some of the most challenging unmet medical needs.”