BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM ENTERS GLOBAL LICENSING AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE INNOVATIVE ANTIBODIES FROM A*STAR FOR TARGETED CANCER THERAPIES
Boehringer Ingelheim and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) today announced a global licensing agreement under which Boehringer Ingelheim will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialize products based on a panel of innovative, tumor-specific antibodies from A*STAR. Boehringer Ingelheim aims to use these antibodies to direct therapeutic effector mechanisms such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T-cell engagers exclusively to tumor cells, and to that end develop a range of highly targeted cancer treatments.
“Boehringer Ingelheim believes that these promising antibodies in-licensed from A*STAR will help us advance potent therapeutic candidates against key molecular cancer targets,” says Clive R. Wood, Senior Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim and continues: “We look forward to developing these assets for a broad range of cancers with the goal to deliver breakthrough opportunities for patients.”
Boehringer Ingelheim is pioneering a range of versatile therapeutic platforms in order to develop innovative medicines that target the tumor directly (tumor cell-directed therapies) or that enable the immune system to target the tumor (immune cell-targeted therapies). One tumor cell-directed modality is antibody drug conjugates, which allows for delivery of toxins directly into tumor cells. Another is T-cell engagers facilitating direct contact between T-cells and tumor cells, leading to T-cell-mediated killing of the tumor. Both technologies are directed towards markers on the surface of cancer cells, also known as antigens, in order to attack tumor cells but spare healthy tissues.
The innovative antibodies from A*STAR can potentially enable the development of safer, more efficacious therapies as they selectively bind to antigens that are highly expressed on tumor cells but are absent on normal healthy tissues.
Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim will be responsible for further research, preclinical and clinical development as well as commercialization of targeted cancer therapies using the antibodies from A*STAR. A*STAR may receive payments totalling >100 million EUR in upfront and success-based development and commercialization milestones.
The technology used to identify the unique A*STAR antibodies resulted from a multi-institutional collaboration in Singapore. A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Institute of Bioengineering & Bioimaging (IBB) generated antibodies which exclusively target antigens that were initially identified from gastric cancer cells. Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), Singapore’s national platform for drug discovery and development hosted by A*STAR, then optimized the antibodies and confirmed their applicability to a range of other solid cancers. EDDC also demonstrated the utility of these antibodies in directing different therapeutic modalities selectively to cancer cells.
Professor Damian O'Connell, Chief Executive Officer of EDDC, says, “As Singapore's national drug discovery and development platform, EDDC is proud to translate great science in Singapore into valuable assets that can enable the precise treatment of cancer. We believe that Boehringer Ingelheim, with its broad expertise and technologies, is the right partner to maximize the potential of these antibodies for the development of safer, more targeted therapies for cancer patients.”
Professor Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive (Enterprise) of A*STAR, says, “These antibodies were developed in Singapore through close collaboration across multiple institutions. There was also strong support by the Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium. The agreement is testament to the best-in-class research taking place in Singapore. Cancer is a devastating disease, and we hope the fruits of our research can improve patient outcomes.”
Please click on the link for “Note to Editors’ and ‘References’:
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/20220602005475/en/
Contact information
For media queries and clarifications:
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Innovation Unit Communications
Corporate Affairs
Boehringer Ingelheim
Tel: +49 6132 77-90815
Email: reinhard.malin@boehringeringelheim.com
Owen Sia
Assistant Head, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6517 7866
Email: owen_sia@hq.a-star.edu.sg
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
Klarna Expands Digital Bank Offer with Peer-to-Peer Payments14.1.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, has launched instant peer-to-peer payments in 13 European countries, marking the next step in its evolution as a digital bank. The new feature enables Klarna customers to send money to friends and family, whether splitting bills or gifting cash, directly from the Klarna app: as simple as handing someone cash, with the protection of a regulated bank. This launch takes Klarna deeper into everyday banking, turning Klarna into a central hub for day-to-day spending and money management. It comes on the back of the Klarna Balance accounts and the rapid adoption of Klarna Card, with over 4 million sign-ups just four months after launch. Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna commented: “Customers are sick of the friction and fees of traditional banking, which is why millions signed up to Klarna Card within a few months of launch. With peer-to-peer payments we’re making it even easier to manage all of your payments
Northern Trust Secures Expanded Mandate with Swedish Pension Provider AMF Tjänstepension AB14.1.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) today announced that it has retained and expanded its mandate with AMF Tjänstepension AB (AMF), a leading Swedish pension provider. Under the renewed agreement, Northern Trust, which has serviced AMF for more than 20 years, will continue to serve as custodian for AMF’s global pension assets and add investment operations for trade services across AMF’s total portfolio, for both pension and fund company assets. AMF is one of Sweden’s leading pension companies, managing occupational pensions for millions of individuals. With a strong focus on delivering secure and sustainable retirement outcomes, AMF combines cost efficiency with long-term investment strategies to benefit its members. Petra Sjögerås, head of Nordic Region, Northern Trust said: “As a long-standing partner to institutions in the Nordic region, Northern Trust brings extensive experience and a solutions-oriented mindset to proactively support our clients to achieve their goals now and in the futu
Notice Concerning Change of Representative Executive Officer14.1.2026 09:14:00 EET | Press release
H.U. Group Holdings, Inc. (the Company) today announced that it has resolved, at a meeting of the Board of Directors held on January 14, 2026, to change the Company’s Representative Executive Officer as described below. 1. Name and job titles of newly appointed Representative Executive Officer Name New title Current title Goki Ishikawa Representative Executive Officer, President and Group CEO Managing Executive Officer 2. Name and job titles of retiring Representative Executive Officer Name New title Current title Shigekazu Takeuchi Director and Executive Officer Director, Representative Executive Officer, Chairman, President and Group CEO 3. Reason for change In May 2025, toward realizing its Vision for 2035, the Company announced its Medium-Term Management Plan “H.U. 2030” (MMP) as well as its CEO succession plan including the timing for the selection of the next CEO. As the succession plan progressed, the Company has recognized that Mr. Goki Ishikawa is the best to lead the executio
TOXINS 2026: Clinical Updates on Galderma’s Leading Neuromodulator Portfolio Further Reinforce Its Leadership in Injectable Aesthetics14.1.2026 08:00:00 EET | Press release
Galderma (SIX: GALD) will present data on its innovative and industry-leading neuromodulator portfolio at the TOXINS 2026 International Conference in Madrid, Spain from January 14-17, 2026. The company will share data from five abstracts on two neuromodulators from its portfolio, Relfydess – the first and only ready-to-use liquid neuromodulator designed with PEARL Technology – and Dysport. Additionally, Galderma will be hosting a Relfydess Masterclass in which expert speakers will delve into the science and clinical data behind Relfydess. “At TOXINS 2026, we will demonstrate our continued leadership in neuromodulation through updates on our leading portfolio, and an educational session on Relfydess, an innovative, science-backed neuromodulator that delivers advanced performance. As the only company with a portfolio of neuromodulators, we’re building on our heritage in the space by developing next-generation solutions that address the evolving expectations of both patients and practitio
Zayed Sustainability Prize Honours Global Pioneers Advancing Progress14.1.2026 03:35:00 EET | Press release
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, today announced the cohort of 2026 winners, celebrating 18 years of empowering communities and driving inclusive, sustainable progress around the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113958706/en/ The 2026 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize were recognised by the President of the UAE in Abu Dhabi on 13 January 2026 (Photo: AETOSWire) In a ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and attended by Heads of State, Ministers, and business leaders, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, awarded the winners for their outstanding contributions to advancing sustainable development worldwide. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “The UAE remains firmly committed to supporting efforts that enhance people’s well-being and strengthen the foundations of stabili
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