Cancer treatment: Biontech with billion-dollar cooperation

BioNTech will continue the development of one of its most promising drug candidates for the treatment of Cancer together with the US company Bristol Myers Squibb. An agreement between the two companies provides for the joint global development and commercialization of the drug candidate BNT327, as BioNTech announced. This involves billions of dollars in payments from the US company to the Mainz-based company.

BNT327 is intended, among other things, to counteract the effects of tumors that suppress the body's immune system. It could conceivably be used in a wide variety of cancer types, either as a standalone drug or in combination with other drugs. Late-stage Phase 3 trials are underway in lung cancer, and another in breast cancer is scheduled to begin by the end of this year. BioNTech secured the rights to the drug candidate through its acquisition of the Chinese company Biotheus.

According to the information, the agreement between BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb stipulates, among other things, that the American company will pay BioNTech a total of 3.5 billion US dollars (approximately 3.06 billion euros). These payments are unconditional and consist of an upfront payment of 1.5 billion US dollars in the second quarter and ongoing payments totaling 2 billion US dollars through 2028.

Under certain conditions—i.e., if milestones in development, potential approval, or commercialization are achieved—BioNTech can receive up to an additional $7.6 billion. It is also planned that BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb will each share the costs of clinical trials equally. Profits and losses associated with the drug candidate will also be split equally.