Amgen Inc. has inked a licensing deal with a new immuno-oncology firm launched by NantWorks, L.A. billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong’s holding company. The new company, NantCell, acquired exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Amgen’s AMG 479, which targets Type 1 insulin-like growth-factor receptors that may play a role in the development and progression of many cancers. The licensing deal between the Culver City holding company and the Thousand Oaks biotech is worldwide with the exception of Japan. Financial terms were not disclosed. “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Amgen,” said Soon-Shiong, who serves as NantCell’s chief executive, in a statement. “We acquired an immuno-oncology compound in late-stage development, with the potential to address a number of cancers affecting significant patient populations.” Patients entering NantCell’s clinical trials will be identified after a comprehensive analysis of DNA, RNA and protein, and treated on the resulting molecular profile to maximize clinical outcome and minimize side effects. Dr. Sean E. Harper, Amgen’s executive vice president of research and development, said in a statement that NantCell’s “integrated suite of technologies may help to improve patient selection and further clinical development of AMG 479.” In addition to licensing treatments already in development, the new NantWorks subsidiary will research and develop cell-based treatments at the molecular level for diseases using the body’s immune system.
