Allergy Therapeutics PLC (LON:AGY) is expanding its licensing agreement with vaccine groups Saiba and DeepVax in a move that will take it into oncology.
The move builds on a collaboration in the area of virus-like particle (VLP) technology that has seen the UK group develop a peanut allergy candidate which has shown early promise.
The plan is to expand the tie-up to target solid cancer tumours, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and psoriasis.
The approach pioneered by Saiba and DeepVax involves generating long-acting vaccines against cytokines, which are small proteins crucial for cell signalling along the immune pathway.
Current approaches, including monoclonal antibodies, are often short-lasting in effect, meaning repeated treatments are required.
Allergy said it wants to investigate the potential of combining VLP technology with its adjuvant systems that also have the potential to generate a sustained response as well as working faster and more efficiently than traditional vaccines.
Chief executive Manuel Llobet said teaming up with Saiba and DeepVax offered a “very exciting opportunity” for Allergy Therapeutics, enabling it to take the first steps into the broader vaccine field using a platform the group is already using.
“While the allergy field remains our core focus, we believe VLP technology has potential across multiple therapies areas where there remains huge unmet need among patients,” he added in a statement.
“This is an opportunity to provide significant improvements to current treatment approaches used for a number of solid cancer and immune conditions and a more convenient treatment option for patients, which is the founding principle of our business."
The agreement includes an undisclosed upfront payment, as well as milestone and royalty payments.