Xencor, Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim have entered into a collaboration to optimize therapeutic monoclonal antibodies with improved clinical performance. BI will apply Xencor’s XmAb technology platform, including proprietary Fc domains, to maximize the efficacy of BI’s antibody drug candidates against selected targets of interest. Xencor’s XmAb Fc domains are designed to enhance the therapeutic properties of antibodies including sustained half-life, increased structural stability and greater potency.

Under the terms of the agreement, Xencor will receive an upfront payment, and is eligible to receive additional license fees, milestones and a royalty payment on any products commercialized by BI incorporating Xencor’s technology. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to further enhance the value of our XmAb technology platform through this collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim,” commented Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., Xencor’s chief executive officer, “and we look forward to working with our colleagues there to create novel biotherapeutics that work more effectively to address unmet medical needs.”