Immunocore Ltd., a T Cell Receptor (TCR) biotechnology company, has entered into a new partnership with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to expand an existing discovery collaboration to co-develop Immunocore’s IMC-C103C candidate, an ImmTAC molecule targeting tumors that express the protein MAGE-A4 (Melanoma-Associated Antigen A4).

Immunocore will lead the first-in-human trial to establish safety and preliminary efficacy of IMC-C103C as both monotherapy and in combination with Genentech’s atezolizumab (Tecentriq). The  trial, which is scheduled to begin in early 2019, will enroll patients across a number of solid tumor types. Genentech will pay Immunocore $100 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments. Upon establishing proof-of-concept data, Immunocore retains an option to continue to co-develop IMC-C103C through commercialization, or to fully license the candidate to Genentech in return for royalty and milestone payments.

Andrew Hotchkiss, chief executive ofifcer of Immunocore, said, “MAGE-A4 is a known cancer-associated antigen expressed in a wide range of malignancies.  Genentech is a leader in oncology with extensive immunology expertise, with whom we’ve had a good collaborative relationship for several years. We look forward to embarking upon this new partnership to investigate whether IMC-C103C could ultimately improve the lives of people with MAGE-A4 positive cancers.”

James Sabry, M.D., Ph.D., global head of Pharma Partnering, Roche, said, “We’ve had a very productive collaboration with Immunocore since we began our initial partnership in 2013.  We’re excited to move this first molecule forward, both as a single agent and in combination with Tecentriq, and to further explore the role of T cell receptor-directed medicines in fighting cancer.”