Boehringer Ingelheim Acquires AMAL Therapeutics, Significantly Enriching Its Cancer Immunology Portfolio with Novel Cancer Vaccines Platform
Boehringer Ingelheim today announced its acquisition of all shares of AMAL Therapeutics SA, a private Swiss biotechnology company focused on cancer immunotherapy and advancing first-in-class therapeutic cancer vaccines derived from its technology platform KISIMA. AMAL’s lead vaccine ATP128 is currently developed for stage IV colorectal cancer and is slated to begin first-in-human trials later this month. Boehringer Ingelheim plans to develop new therapies by combining assets from its cancer immunology portfolio with AMAL’s proprietary KISIMA immunization platform.
“Acquiring AMAL is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s long-term strategy to enhance our existing position as an innovator of novel cancer therapies, including immuno-oncology treatments, which leverage cutting-edge scientific discoveries and their applications,” said Michel Pairet, member of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for the company’s Innovation Unit. “We want to pioneer new paradigms of biology-based care for cancer patients, and the technologies and expertise developed at AMAL are critical to our efforts.”
The total transaction could amount up to EUR 325 million, and is comprised of an upfront payment as well as contingent clinical, development and regulatory milestones plus up to EUR 100 million if certain commercial milestones are hit.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work of AMAL’s entire team, which is validated by this acquisition, and very excited to further develop the KISIMA technology platform within Boehringer Ingelheim,” said Madiha Derouazi, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AMAL Therapeutics. “Our new relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim will enable us to realize the full potential of our KISIMA platform to fight solid cancers while preserving AMAL’s approach to biotechnology research and our scientific and academic networks. Moreover, sharing resources and capabilities in clinical development will greatly help us to move ATP128 and other assets forward.”
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cancer Immunology group is built to discover therapies that engage triggering of immune responses against non-inflamed, “cold” tumors, which represent a large group of cancer types refractory to many treatments, including checkpoint inhibitor drugs. Immune targeting of cold tumors is a particular challenge. AMAL’s KISIMA vaccine technology, designed to stimulate potent immune responses, is a promising therapeutic option for patients with these type of cancers.
The AMAL acquisition, along with that of the 2018 acquisition of Vira Therapeutics (Vira-T) and in-license of OSE Immunotherapeutics’ SIRP-alpha targeting antibody, significantly strengthens Boehringer Ingelheim’s strategic focus on immune cell-directed therapies. By combining its world-class in-house research and development with that of highly innovative biotechnology companies, Boehringer Ingelheim is developing innovative immuno-oncology therapies and accelerating the delivery of the next-generation of cancer treatments.
AMAL is headquartered on the medical campus of the University of Geneva, from which it was spun-out in 2012, with financial backing from a syndicate of both corporate and institutional investors, including the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and High-Tech Gründerfonds as the initial seed investors. Additional investments were provided by VI Partners, Helsinn Investment Fund, BioMed Partners and Schroder Adveq. AMAL’s technology platform and derived products are protected by a broad portfolio of patents and licenses.
KISIMA
Unlike prophylactic vaccines that immunize a patient to prevent an infection before it occurs, therapeutic vaccines combat existing diseases. Anti-cancer therapeutic vaccines carry antigens, pieces of protein that also are in tumors. By presenting antigens to the patient’s immune system, a vaccine can prompt tailor-made responses, including activation of killer T cells that target the tumor and can boost memory immunity to reduce the risk of relapse.
AMAL’s proprietary technology platform KISIMA enables the assembly of three functional components into one patented fusion protein used as a vaccine: First, a proprietary cell-penetrating peptide for antigen delivery; second, a proprietary toll-like receptor (TLR) peptide agonist as an adjuvant, and third, a multi-antigenic cargo that can be tailored for specific indications.
Please click on the link for Notes to Editors and References:
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/acquisition-amal-therapeutics
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190715005351/en/
Contact information
Media Contacts:
Boehringer Ingelheim
Linda Ruckel
Associate Director, Media and Corporate Reputation
Boehringer Ingelheim U.S.
Media + PR
P: + 203-791-6672
linda.ruckel@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Head of Communications Innovation Unit
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Center GmbH
Media + PR
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
P: +49 6132 77-90815
M: + 49 151 150 20 690
www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
AMAL Therapeutics SA
Laurence de Schoulepnikoff
Chief Business Officer
Tel: +41 (0) 22 379 46 88 contact@amaltherapeutics.com
Instinctif Partners (for International and English-speaking media)
Dr. Christelle Kerouedan
Tel: +44 (0) 207 457 2020 amaltherapeutics@instinctif.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
New RSA Agent for Admin Threats Now Generally Available in Microsoft Security Copilot18.11.2025 20:07:00 EET | Press release
RSA Security today announced the general availability of its RSA Advisor for Admin Threats agent in Microsoft Security Copilot. “AI is the force multiplier for defenders, and when partners bring their agentic innovation into the Security Copilot ecosystem, the impact is exponential. Together, we’re not just building tools—we’re creating a new era of intelligent, collaborative cyber defense.” - Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Security. “We accelerated development of the RSA Advisor for Admin Threats agent to give security leaders the essential AI capabilities they need to quickly detect and resolve high-risk activity or insider threats in RSA ID Plus for Microsoft tenants,” said RSA President, Chief Product and Strategy Officer Jim Taylor. “In a recent RSA survey of more than 2,100 global security leaders, agentic AI emerged as the top cybersecurity priority, and 91% said they plan to integrate AI into their tech stack. We’re working with Microsoft to meet customers’ de
True Announces New Investment Partnership with Integrum to Redefine the Future of the Executive Talent Industry18.11.2025 17:33:00 EET | Press release
True, the premier global executive talent platform driving the industry’s tech evolution through data, AI, and expertise, today announced a new strategic investment partnership with Integrum Holdings LP (“Integrum”), a private investment firm focused on partnering with tech-enabled professional services companies. Integrum’s significant investment will power True’s next phase of growth as it helps clients solve their most pressing talent and leadership needs. Since its founding over 12 years ago, True has become a disruptive force in the industry, growing from a boutique into the sixth-largest executive search firm in North America with over $350 million in revenue. True’s organic growth has been fueled by its highly talented professionals and culture of innovation. With a tech-first and entrepreneurial mindset, and focus on transparency, True has reshaped the executive talent landscape. Brad Stadler, co-founder and CEO of True, said, “I knew during our first meeting, the group at Inte
Klarna now available on Apple Pay in Denmark, Spain, and Sweden with France to follow18.11.2025 17:22:00 EET | Press release
Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, announced today that its flexible payment products are now available when checking out on Apple Pay in Denmark, Spain, Sweden. The launch brings even greater flexibility and transparency to Apple Pay customers in these countries, with Klarna available to eligible users checking out online and in-app with an iPhone or iPad, and in-store on an iPhone. The expansion builds on successful launches of this feature in the US, UK and Canada, where millions of customers have checked out with Klarna through Apple Pay. Klarna is one of the first buy now, pay later providers to be available on Apple Pay in these countries, offering consumers a seamless, flexible way to pay. Customers in France will be able to check out with Klarna on Apple Pay in the coming weeks. “After the fantastic response in the US, UK, and Canada, I’m super excited to bring Klarna on Apple Pay to tens of millions of consumers across Europe,” said Sebastian Siemi
Bitfury Launches $1 Billion Initiative to Advance Ethical Emerging Technologies18.11.2025 17:11:00 EET | Press release
Today, Bitcoin miner turned technology incubator Bitfury announced its pivot to an investment firm with the launch of its $1 billion funding initiative, which seeks to back a new generation of ethical innovators. The firm’s new mission is to close the gap between the accelerating pace of technological progress and the slower evolution of ethical development — a disconnect it sees as a root cause of many global challenges. By supporting mission-driven founders, the company seeks to accelerate ventures that embed ethics, transparency, and human values at the core of emerging technologies. Bitfury’s new chapter as an investment firm builds on its pioneering legacy while expanding its role from technology provider to global catalyst for responsible innovation — ensuring the digital economy develops with integrity and long-term sustainability. Bitfury was originally founded in 2011 as a bitcoin miner, but over the past 15 years has built a legacy as one of the world’s pioneering technology
Interactive Brokers Expands Global Market Access with the Taipei Exchange18.11.2025 17:00:00 EET | Press release
Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR), an automated global electronic broker, announced access to the Taipei Exchange (TPEx), further expanding its global reach. Eligible clients of Interactive Brokers can now trade equities, ETFs, and Taiwan Depositary Receipts (TDRs) listed on TPEx, alongside products from over 160 global exchanges from a single platform. This extends the opportunity set available to global investors seeking Asian exposure, including the growth potential afforded by emerging small and medium-sized companies listed on the TPEx. Interactive Brokers is one of the few global trading platforms connected to TPEx, a leading Asian exchange for shares of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through TPEx, clients can diversify their portfolios to include emerging, high-tech, and creative industries, as well as SMEs and micro-enterprises across Taiwan’s developing economy. To simplify trading, Interactive Brokers will facilitate TPEx trades with an automatic FX conversion be
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom