Bicycle Therapeutics Says Genentech Expands Collaboration For Immuno-oncology Therapies

(RTTNews) - Bicycle Therapeutics plc (BCYC) on Tuesday said Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, has expanded its 2020 collaboration agreement for Bicycle's proprietary bicyclic peptide technology (Bicycle)-based immuno-oncology therapies.

As per the terms of the 2020 agreement, Genentech has exercised an option to include a new program under the agreement, triggering a $10 million payment to Bicycle, the company said.

Compounds in Bicycle's wholly owned oncology pipeline, including its immuno-oncology candidates, are not included in the collaboration, Bicycle added.

"We believe the expansion of our collaboration underscores the potential utility of Bicycles compared to other modalities, as well as the potential broad applicability of Bicycles in a wide-range of targets," said Kevin Lee, , Chief Executive Officer of Bicycle Therapeutics.

Bicycle is evaluating BT5528, a second-generation Bicycle Toxin Conjugate (BTC) targeting EphA2, and BT8009, a second-generation BTC targeting Nectin-4, in Phase 1/2 trials.

Further, BT1718, a BTC that targets MT1-MMP, is being investigated in an ongoing Phase 1/2a study sponsored by the Centre for Drug Development of Cancer Research UK.