Boehringer Ingelheim announced its strategic partnership and license agreement to commercialise Cue Biopharma’s CUE-501 pre-clinical product, a differentiated B cell depletion therapy for autoimmune diseases.
CUE-501 binds to a B cell specific membrane protein while engaging virus-specific memory killer T cells. This mechanism enables the molecule to selectively deplete B cells and diminish autoimmune and inflammatory processes. Compared to other therapeutic approaches targeting B cells, CUE-051 may offer improved benefits and safety.
Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases represent a challenging field characterised by high unmet patient needs, with many sufferers trying and testing multiple treatments before finding an appropriate one. This collaboration seeks to bolster Boehringer’s disease pipeline portfolio within the autoimmune space.
Carine Boustany, U.S. Research Site Head and Global Head of Immunology and Respiratory Disease Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “By leveraging Cue Biopharma’s proprietary T-cell engager platform, our goal is to deliver a more effective treatment option to patients earlier in their disease journey.”
According to the terms of agreement, Cue Biopharma’s technology will be used to advance research and development of the candidate molecule. Cue Biopharma is entitled to receive an upfront payment of $12million alongside research support payments. Additionally, Cue Biopharma can earn up to $345 million in pre-clinical and commercial milestone-based payments.
This strategic effort should position Boehringer Ingelheim as an essential player in autoimmune and inflammatory disease. By intervening earlier in the disease journey, Cue Biopharma’s remarkable technology could represent a crucial breakthrough for patients with autoimmune conditions.
