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
Galderma Provides Update on Arbitration Case Regarding Neuromodulator Research and Development Partnership21.1.2026 18:35:00 EET | Press release
Galderma (SIX:GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced that an International Chamber of Commerce arbitral tribunal issued an award confirming the termination of a 2014 neuromodulator research & development partnership with Ipsen. The partnership was limited to the rights and obligations relating to the companies’ early-stage neuromodulator pipeline for aesthetic indications. Galderma welcomes the clarity provided by the arbitral tribunal. This decision has no impact on the commercialization of Galderma’s neuromodulator portfolio. Galderma will continue to commercialize and supply Dysport®/Azzalure®, Alluzience®, and RelfydessTM in all territories where it has regulatory approval and in accordance with our existing agreements with our partner Ipsen. Progressing on our path towards becoming the undisputed dermatology powerhouse Galderma remains focused on its ambition to become the world’s undisputed dermatology powerhouse across the full spectrum of a fast-growi
ThetaRay Appoints Financial Markets Technology Leader Brad Levy as Chief Executive Officer21.1.2026 18:00:00 EET | Press release
ThetaRay, a global leader in Cognitive AI financial crime compliance, today announced the appointment of Brad Levy as Chief Executive Officer. Levy, a leading financial markets infrastructure executive and former CEO of Symphony, will lead ThetaRay’s next phase of growth as the company continues to scale its Cognitive AI platform, now emerging as the leading AI strategy and technology for transaction monitoring and transaction due diligence, across banks and fintechs worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260121002476/en/ ThetaRay Appoints Brad Levy as CEO Levy brings decades of experience building and leading mission-critical financial infrastructure at scale. Most recently, he served as CEO of Symphony, the financial markets infrastructure and technology platform established by a consortium of leading global banks, including Goldman Sachs and other major financial institutions, and relied upon by hundred
HCL Group and UpLink Announce Winners of ‘Water Resilience Challenge’ Under the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative21.1.2026 17:02:00 EET | Press release
HCL Group, a leading global conglomerate, and UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s early-stage innovation initiative, have announced the winners of the ‘Water Resilience Challenge,’ the fourth in a series of five challenges under the five-year, CHF 15 million Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative launched by HCL Group. The announcement marks a significant step in the ongoing mission to address global water challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260121697759/en/ Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Group, congratulates the winners of ‘Water Resilience Challenge’ under the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative in Davos. After evaluating over 300 submissions from around the world, 10 Aquapreneurs from nine countries were selected for their innovative solutions in the freshwater sector. This year’s winners, termed ‘UpLink Ventures and Aquapreneurs,’ represent a diverse set o
Weber Expands Smart Grilling Portfolio to Create the Backyard's First Seamless, Smart Ecosystem21.1.2026 17:00:00 EET | Press release
Weber, one of the global leaders in high-performance, high-quality outdoor cooking technology and products, today unveiled its 2026 lineup of grills and accessories. The new portfolio delivers a totally seamless smart ecosystem for grilling by connecting smart grills, accessories, and the WEBER CONNECT® App across all major fuel types to elevate the everyday with more confidence, control, and consistently delicious results. The 2026 lineup expands smart cooking options for charcoal grilling with the Performer® Smart Charcoal Grill and Kettle Smart Ring. Updated models of the popular GENESIS® and SPIRIT® smart gas grills feature Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® enabled, battery-operated digital thermometers. The new Smart Wireless Probe Plus with Booster and Charger can be used with any grill, enabling precise temperature monitoring regardless of fuel type. All Weber smart products—grills, accessories, and the WEBER CONNECT App—sync to create an integrated, connected cooking experience. “The Weber
illumynt Appoints Chris Tejeda as Chief Revenue Officer21.1.2026 16:47:00 EET | Press release
illumynt today announced the promotion of Chris Tejeda to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), reflecting the company’s continued growth and expanding global footprint. In his new role, Tejeda will lead illumynt’s global revenue strategy, customer engagement, and strategic partnerships as demand accelerates for secure, technology-driven IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) solutions. “Chris has been instrumental in aligning our commercial strategy with the evolving needs of hyperscale and enterprise customers,” said CEO Joerg Herbarth. “As AI accelerates infrastructure refresh cycles and raises the bar for security and compliance, his leadership will be critical to scaling illumynt with focus, transparency, and customer trust.” Tejeda brings extensive experience in enterprise technology services and has played a key role in illumynt’s recent momentum, including significant revenue growth and the expansion of advanced capabilities across AI/GPU diagnostics, automation, and value recovery. View source ve
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