C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (CCCC.O) announced on Thursday, April 9th, that it has entered into a new collaboration agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche (ROPC.S) to jointly develop novel cancer drugs, with the total potential value of the deal exceeding $1 billion.
The core focus of the agreement is an emerging cancer therapy known as Degrader-Antibody Conjugates. This technology combines Antibody-Drug Conjugates with targeted protein degradation, aiming to leverage the catalytic efficiency and specificity of degraders alongside the precise delivery capabilities of antibodies to create new anti-cancer treatments.
Under the agreement, the two companies will develop DAC drugs for two undisclosed oncology targets, with an option to add a third target. The specific responsibilities are outlined as follows: - C4 Therapeutics, Inc.: Will utilize its proprietary TORPEDO platform to design degrader candidate molecules with payload properties. - Roche: Will be responsible for identifying and designing antibodies, conjugating them with the degrader payloads, and leading subsequent preclinical research, clinical development, and commercialization efforts.
Financially, C4 Therapeutics, Inc. will receive a $20 million upfront payment. Should Roche exercise the option to include a third target, C4T will receive an additional payment. Furthermore, C4T is eligible to receive over $1 billion in discovery, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties on future product sales.
This agreement signifies a deepening of the partnership that began in 2016 between the two companies, representing their third collaboration. Boris Zaïtra, Global Head of Business Development at Roche, stated, "Our relationship with C4 Therapeutics is built on a decade of trust and a shared pursuit of scientific advancement."
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