F-star Expedites Its Transition to a Wholly-Owned Portfolio Strategy
F-star, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company delivering tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer therapy, today announced the reconfiguration of its immuno-oncology collaboration, established in 2017, with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany as it executes on its transition to a wholly-owned portfolio and builds scale and value as a world-class biopharmaceutical company.
Under the terms of the new agreement, F-star retains exclusive rights to develop and commercialise FS118, a clinical-stage tetravalent bispecific antibody. At the same time, Merck has exercised its option for one discovery stage programme and retains the right to option a second discovery programme from the 2017 original agreement. No financial terms of the agreement are being disclosed.
Eliot Forster, CEO of F-star, said: “This new agreement reflects our pivot to building a wholly-owned pipeline, that allows for rapid progress into the clinic and secures greater long-term value from our products. With full rights to FS118, we have an opportunity to accelerate the development of this first-in-class medicine for a group of targeted cancer patients. We are also pleased to continue our long-term collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany by advancing assets from F-star’s Modular Antibody Technology TM into their pipeline.”
FS118 is a potential first-in-class tetravalent bispecific antibody for the treatment of cancer, developed to overcome tumour evasion mechanisms promoted by two molecules (LAG-3: Lymphocyte-Activation Gene 3 and PD-L1: Programmed Death-Ligand 1) with the potential to restore the natural ability of the immune system to fight cancer(1). Initiated in April 2018 under F-star’s sponsorship, the Phase I trial (NCT03440437) continues as originally planned and is expected to read out during 2020.
- ENDS -
About F-star
F-star is a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company delivering tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer therapy. By developing medicines that seek to block tumour immune evasion, the Company’s goal is to offer patients greater and more durable benefits than current immuno-oncology treatments. Through its proprietary tetravalent, bispecific antibody (mAb²™) format, F-star is generating first- and best-in-class drug candidates with monoclonal antibody-like manufacturability. Building on the combined expertise of its world-class management team and scientific leadership, F-star is poised to deliver the next breakthrough immunotherapies for cancer patients.
Find out more at www.f-star.com. Connect with us via LinkedIn and Twitter
About FS118
Currently in a Phase I trial at four clinical sites in the United States, FS118 is a potentially first-in-class medicine for the treatment of resistant and refractory cancer. This tetravalent, bispecific antibody is developed to overcome tumour evasion mechanisms promoted by two highly immuno-suppressive molecules: LAG-3 (Lymphocyte-Activation Gene 3) and PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1). By simultaneously blocking both inhibitory pathways, FS118 has preclinically demonstrated a potent anti-tumour growth activity(1) as well as a highly differentiated mechanism of action(2) when compared to checkpoint monotherapies alone or in combinations.
In April 2018, a Phase 1 clinical study started in patients who have progressed on or after a prior PD-1/PD-L1 containing therapy. Information about the trial is available on clinicaltrials.gov NCT03440437. FS118 is manufactured at 2000L scale using standard mAb manufacturing processes.
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/20190513005894/en/
Contact information
For investor enquiries
Lindsey Trickett
VP
Investor Relations & Communications
+1 240 543 7970
lindsey.trickett@f-star.com
For media enquiries
Pierre Peotta
Communications
Manager
+44 (0)1223 948 094
+44 (0)7392 080 279
pierre.peotta@f-star.com
Consilium Strategic Communications
Chris Gardner, Sue
Stuart, David Daley
Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700
E-mail:
F-star@consilium-comms.com
US
Catherine London, US President
Tel: +1 917-763-2709
E-mail:
F-star@consilium-comms.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
WEF26: ‘Human Capital Is the Key Driver of Economic Competitiveness’21.1.2026 11:33:00 EET | Press release
For economies to remain competitive in the future, they must prioritize investments in human capital, Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America, told the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260120585206/en/ Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America, speaks on human capital and youth empowerment during the opening Saudi House session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 (Photo: AETOSWire) Speaking on a Saudi House panel, HRH commented: “Human capital today is the key driver if you want a competitive modern economy.” She added: “If you empower people and you give them the space to lead, they will take that drive and they will deliver. And when you place the right people in the right place at the r
BPP Signals Next Era of Growth, Unveiling New Global Parent Brand: Lyceum Education Group21.1.2026 11:03:00 EET | Press release
Today marks the launch of Lyceum Education Group, the new parent brand for 11 leading specialist education businesses across the UK, mainland Europe, Canada and Australia. Lyceum Education Group brings together leading specialist education providers, delivering a diverse portfolio of programmes to benefit learners and businesses globally. From its beginnings as BPP almost 50 years ago, to the creation of the Lyceum Education Group brand today, the move reflects the transition to become a leading, global education group, which will be the second largest post-secondary provider in the UK, and the fourth largest in Europe. Since its acquisition by TDR Capital in 2021, the Group has been acquiring new brands which encompass increased specialisms, diversifying its product ranges and entering new global markets. A clear focus for Lyceum Education Group will be emphasising skills development, employability and career progression, delivering impact for learners, businesses and our changing soc
Ageneau Group Chooses Generix WMS to Boost Growth21.1.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Generix, a global business software company offering an expansive portfolio of SaaS solutions for supply chain, finance, commerce, and B2B integration, announces that Ageneau Group, a French transportation, logistics, and training company, has chosen Generix WMS and TradeXpress to modernize operational processes at its Angers (Trélazé) site, which has a covered area of 9,000 m² and state-of-the-art technological equipment, including automated guided vehicles (AGVs). “We needed a powerful and scalable tool that was in line with our values of cohesion, respect, and innovation. Generix was able to meet 100% of our specifications and support us with transparency and expertise,” said Arnaud Ageneau, co-director of processes, purchasing, and IT at the Ageneau Group. To support its growth and meet the changing needs of its customers, the Ageneau Group was looking for a solution capable of digitizing its operations, optimizing its flows, and providing advanced logistics to its teams. The group
International Zinc Association Partners With Pharmanova to Save Children in Zambia21.1.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Zinc Saves Kids, a global child‑health initiative of the International Zinc Association (IZA), has announced a new partnership with leading Zambian pharmaceutical manufacturer Pharmanova Zambia Limited to expand access to life‑saving zinc treatments for children across Zambia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260121178091/en/ Life-saving zinc-supplementation and oral rehydration salts kits are proactively distributed to Zambian children through the works of the International Zinc Association, Pharmanova, and the Zambian Ministries of Health and Education. The collaboration was formally celebrated during a ceremony in Lusaka with the Zambian Ministry of Health, Pharmanova Zambia Limited, and IZA represented by Environment Health & Sustainability Director Dr. Eric Van Genderen. IZA and Pharmanova have united in an effort to scale up treatment for childhood diarrhea using zinc, an essential micronutrient that stre
LatticeFlow AI Acquires AI Sonar, the Leading AI Discovery Platform, to Enable End-to-End, Secure AI Governance21.1.2026 09:22:00 EET | Press release
LatticeFlow AI, a Swiss deep-tech company leading evidence-based AI governance, today announced during the World Economic Forum (WEF) the acquisition of Dublin-based AI Sonar Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of CloudSphere Ltd. AI Sonar’s leading edge AI discovery platform allows enterprises and ISVs to detect shadow AI. AI Sonar’s solution will continue to be offered under its brand name by LatticeFlow AI. With this acquisition, LatticeFlow AI will introduce the industry’s first end-to-end, evidence-based AI governance solution securely connecting on-prem AI discovery and evaluations with centralized SaaS governance operations, and covering GenAI, agentic and traditional AI systems. As part of the acquisition, LatticeFlow AI assumes full ownership of AI Sonar’s platform, intellectual property, and engineering operations, establishing Dublin as its third R&D office alongside Zurich, Switzerland and Sofia, Bulgaria. The AI Sonar engineering team will continue the development of this enter
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