Genmab has entered an agreement to grant Gilead an exclusive license and an option on a second exclusive license to use the DuoBody technology platform to create and develop bispecific antibody candidates for a therapeutic program targeting HIV. Genmab will receive an upfront payment of $5 million from Gilead.

Genmab is entitled to potential development, regulatory and sales milestones of up to $277 million for the first product and further milestones for subsequent products. In addition, Genmab will be entitled to single-digit royalties on Gilead’s sales of any commercialized products. Similar terms would apply if Gilead exercises the option to the second license.

“We are pleased to add this agreement with Gilead to our growing list of commercial collaborations for our innovative DuoBody platform and we are particularly excited that the potential for DuoBody bispecific antibodies for treating HIV will be explored,” said Jan van de Winkel, chief executive officer, Genmab.

This commercial license agreement follows a research collaboration between Genmab and Gilead for the DuoBody technology signed in 2014.