Collaborations and Licenses
We follow a disciplined strategy to maximize the value of our pipeline. We plan to retain all development and commercialization rights to those products and product candidates that we believe we can commercialize successfully, if approved.
We have partnered, and plan to continue to partner, to develop products and product candidates that we believe have promising utility in disease areas or have patient populations that may benefit from resources of other biopharmaceutical companies. We expect to continue to collaborate selectively with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to leverage our platform technology and accelerate product candidate development.
We are also party to several license agreements under which we license patents, patent applications and other intellectual property to third parties. We have also entered into several license agreements under which we license patents, patent applications and other intellectual property from third parties. License agreements can relate to research and development and/or commercialization of the relevant product candidates (and technologies) or products. The licensed intellectual property covers some of our product candidates and some of the antibody engineering technologies that we use. Some of these licenses impose various diligence and financial payment obligations on us. We expect to continue to enter into these types of license agreements in the future.
We have entered into multiple collaboration agreements with pharmaceutical partners and license agreements, as described below.
Our Strategic Collaboration with Shire
In February 2012, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Shire AG (Shire, now known as Shire International GmbH) to discover, develop and commercialize novel human therapeutic antibodies against up to three targets to address diverse, rare and unmet diseases (Shire Collaboration Agreement). Pursuant to the Shire Collaboration Agreement, up through a specified period, we have granted Shire an exclusive option, against payment of a one-time option fee, to obtain all right, title and interest in any antibodies discovered under the collaboration. If Shire does not exercise its option with respect to any discovered antibody within a specified period, we are free to research, develop and commercialize antibodies in relation to the applicable clinical trial target, subject to negotiation of a license from Shire.
OncoVerity for cusatuzumab
In 2022, we, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) created an asset-centric spin-off, OncoVerity, Inc. (OncoVerity) focused on optimizing and advancing the development of cusatuzumab, a novel anti-CD70 antibody, in AML. OncoVerity is an entity of co-creation, combining the extensive translational biology insights from Dr. Clayton Smith, M.D. from the University of Colorado with our experience on the CD70/CD27 pathway.
In 2023, we granted an exclusive license for cusatuzumab to OncoVerity and provided, together with a joint venture of UCHealth and University License Equity Holdings, Inc. on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, $26.0 million in funding for ongoing clinical development of cusatuzumab.
Our Strategic Partnership with LEO Pharma for ARGX-112 (LP0145)
In May 2015, we entered into a collaboration agreement with LEO Pharma A/S (LEO Pharma) to develop and commercialize ARGX-112 (LP0145) for the treatment of dermatologic indications involving inflammation (LEO Pharma Collaboration Agreement). ARGX-112 (LP0145) employs our SIMPLE ANTIBODY™ technology and blocks the IL-22R in order to neutralize the signaling of cytokines implicated in autoimmune diseases of the skin. LEO Pharma funded more than half of all product development costs up to clinical trial application (CTA) approval of a first product in a Phase 1 clinical trial, with our share of such costs capped, which was achieved in April 2018. Since then, LEO Pharma has been solely responsible for funding the clinical development of the program. In May 2021, CTA approval of a Phase 2a clinical trial for LP0145 was received.
In September 2022, LEO Pharma, exercised its option to obtain, and was granted an exclusive, worldwide license to further develop and commercialize ARGX-112 against payment of a €5.0 million option fee to us. LEO Pharma assumed full responsibility for the continued development, manufacture and commercialization of such product and is subject to diligence obligations in respect of continuation of development and commercialization of such product. We are eligible to receive additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments in aggregate amount of up to €120.0 million, as well as tiered royalties on product sales at percentages ranging from the low single digits to the low teens, subject to customary reductions.
Unless earlier terminated, the term of the LEO Pharma Collaboration Agreement ends upon the later of (i) the expiration of the last license granted under the agreement, and (ii) the fulfilment of all payment obligations under the agreement. LEO Pharma may terminate the LEO Pharma Collaboration Agreement for any reason upon prior written notice to us. LEO Pharma’s royalty payment obligations expire, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, upon the later of (i) a time when no valid claims covering such product, and (ii) (a) in major market countries with no composition of matter patent covering such product, the expiration of the data exclusivity period or (b) in countries that are not major market countries, a double-digit number of years after the first commercial sale of such product sold in that country.
Our Strategic Partnership with Zai Lab for efgartigimod
Pursuant to the Zai Lab Agreement, Zai Lab obtained the exclusive right to develop and commercialize efgartigimod in Greater China. Zai Lab will also contribute patients to our global Phase 3 clinical trials of efgartigimod. Additionally, the collaboration with Zai Lab is expected to accelerate efgartigimod global development by initiating multiple Phase 2 POC clinical trials in new autoimmune indications under our supervision; first indications for such POC clinical trials are kidney conditions LN and MN.
Pursuant to the Zai Lab Agreement, we have received value worth $175.0 million from the Zai Lab Payments. We are also eligible to receive tiered royalties (mid-teen to low-twenties on a percentage basis) based on annual net sales of efgartigimod in Greater China.
Our Strategic Partnership with AbbVie for ARGX-115 (ABBV-151)
In April 2016, we entered into a collaboration agreement with AbbVie to develop and commercialize ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) as a cancer immunotherapy against the novel target glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP) (the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement). ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) employs our SIMPLE ANTIBODY™ technology and works by stimulating a patient’s immune system after a tumor has suppressed the immune system by co-opting immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells. Under the terms of the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, we were responsible for conducting and funding all ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) research and development activities up to completion of IND enabling clinical trials.
AbbVie has exercised its option and obtained a worldwide, exclusive license to the ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) program to develop and commercialize products and has assumed development obligations, including the sole responsibility for all research, development and regulatory costs relating to ARGX-115 (ABBV-151)-based products. Subject to the continuing progress of ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) by AbbVie, we are eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments in aggregate amounts of up to $110 million, $190 million and $325 million, respectively, as well as tiered royalties on product sales at percentages ranging from the mid-single digits to the lower teens, subject to customary reductions.
Pursuant to the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, we have the right, on a product-by-product basis, to co-promote ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) based products in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and to combine the product with our own future oncology programs (if any). The co-promotion effort would be governed by a co-promotion agreement negotiated in good faith by the parties.
Unless earlier terminated upon mutual agreement, for material breach or as otherwise specified in the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, the term of the license agreement ends, with respect to the ARGX-115 (ABBV-151) program, upon fulfilment of all payment obligations under the agreement.
AbbVie may terminate the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement for any reason upon prior written notice to us. AbbVie’s royalty payment obligations expire, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, on the date that is the later of (i) such time as there are no valid claims covering such product, (ii) expiration of regulatory or market exclusivity in respect of such product or (iii) 10 years after the first commercial sale of such product sold in that country under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement.
Our Exclusive License with Elektrofi for efgartigimod
In April 2021, we entered into the Elektrofi Agreement with Elektrofi to explore new SC formulations utilizing Elektrofi’s high concentration technology for efgartigimod, and up to one additional target. The Elektrofi-enabled formulations are aimed to promote additional optionality for patients through at-home and self-administration capabilities.
Under the terms of the Elektrofi Agreement, we made an upfront payment and future milestones payments across both targets pending achievement of pre-defined development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Elektrofi will also receive a mid-single digit royalty on sales of commercialized products.
Our collaboration with Genmab
In 2023, we entered into a collaboration with Genmab to jointly discover, develop and commercialize novel therapeutic antibodies with applications in immunology, as well as in oncology therapeutic areas. The multiyear collaboration is expected to leverage the antibody engineering expertise and knowledge of disease biology of both companies to accelerate the identification and development of novel antibody therapeutic candidates with a goal to address unmet patient needs in immunology and cancer. Under the terms of the collaboration, we and Genmab each have access to the suites of proprietary antibody technologies of both companies to advance the identification of lead antibody candidates against differentiated disease targets.
Our Non-Exclusive Research License and Option Agreement with Chugai for SMART-Ig® and ACT-Ig®
In September 2020, we entered into a non-exclusive research license and option agreement with Chugai, allowing us to access Chugai’s SMART-Ig® and ACT-Ig® engineering technologies for conducting feasibility clinical trials. These technologies are designed to enable us to make sweeping antibodies and expand the therapeutic index of our product candidates, which is the ratio between toxic and therapeutic dose, by potentially modifying their half‑life, tissue penetration, rate of disease target clearance and potency.
Our Non-exclusive License with the Clayton Foundation for DHS mutations
In October 2020, we entered into a non-exclusive research agreement with the Clayton Foundation relating to the non-exclusive in-license for Clayton Foundation’s proprietary DHS mutations to extend the serum half-life of therapeutic candidates.
Our Exclusive License with Halozyme for ENHANZE®
In February 2019, we entered into an in-license agreement with Halozyme for the use of certain patents, materials and know-how owned by Halozyme and relating to its ENHANZE®, for application in the field of prevention and treatment of human diseases (the ENHANZE® License Agreement). Pursuant to the ENHANZE® License Agreement, we were granted exclusive rights to apply ENHANZE® to biologic products against pre-specified targets, in order to research, develop and commercialize SC formulations of our therapeutic antibody-based product candidates.
Our first therapeutic target for which we received an exclusive license from Halozyme was FcRn, which allows us to apply ENHANZE® to efgartigimod and any other product candidates selective and specific for FcRn. Moreover, the breadth of our exclusive license to FcRn precludes either Halozyme itself or any of its current or future partners from utilizing ENHANZE® in the context of an FcRn-targeted product. Our second therapeutic target for which we received an exclusive license from Halozyme was human C2 associated with the product candidate empasiprubart, which is being developed to treat severe autoimmune diseases. Pursuant to the ENHANZE® License Agreement, we also have the right to nominate future targets for an exclusive ENHANZE® license if the target in question has not already been licensed by Halozyme or is not already being pursued by Halozyme.
In October 2020, we expanded our collaboration with Halozyme for ENHANZE® drug delivery technology to include three additional exclusive targets upon nomination bringing the total to six potential targets. From the effective date of the ENHANZE® License Agreement, we have a seven-year period in which to conduct research and preclinical trials on other target-specific molecules in combination with ENHANZE® and may nominate up to four additional targets we have not yet nominated for an exclusive commercial license.
Pursuant to the ENHANZE® License Agreement, we have the right to grant sublicenses to our subsidiaries and to third parties both for research/preclinical work (for example, to subcontractors) and for development and commercialization. Halozyme provides dedicated specialist support to us which it has accrued over 10 years of licensing ENHANZE® to its collaborators.
Upon nomination of any future target for an exclusive commercialization license and confirmation by Halozyme that such a license is available, we will pay $12.5 million to Halozyme per target. We will be obligated to pay clinical development, regulatory and commercial milestones totaling $160.0 million for the first product that uses ENHANZE® and is specific for a given target. We are also obligated to pay Halozyme a percentage of net sales as a royalty of any licensed product that uses ENHANZE®. This royalty varies with net sales volume, ranging from the low to mid-single digits. The royalty obligations may be reduced by up to 50% under different circumstances including the requirement of a compulsory license from a government, the need to secure third-party licenses to enable sales of our products using the ENHANZE® technology, and/or the lack of patent coverage in a particular country. We have diligence obligations with respect to the continuation of development and commercialization of product candidates, but we are not obligated to utilize ENHANZE® for every product candidate directed to a given exclusive target(s).
We may terminate the ENHANZE® License Agreement at any time, either in its entirety or on a target-by-target basis, by sending Halozyme prior written notice. Absent early termination, the ENHANZE® License Agreement will automatically expire upon the expiry of our royalty payment obligations under the agreement. In the event the ENHANZE® License Agreement is terminated for any reason, the license granted to us would terminate but Halozyme would grant our sublicensees a direct license following such termination. In the event the ENHANZE® License Agreement is terminated other than for our breach, we would retain the right to sell licensed products then on hand for a certain period of time post-termination.
As also set out in section “Corporate Governance”, our non-executive director James M. Daly previously served as a non-executive member of the board of directors of Halozyme. Mr. Daly did not participate in any discussions and decision making relating to the ENHANZE® License Agreement. The ENHANZE® License Agreement with Halozyme was not a related party transaction in accordance with IAS 24 - Related Party Disclosures, since Mr. Daly, in his role as non-executive director, did not control or have significant influence over argenx or Halozyme. However, the ENHANZE® License Agreement does constitute a related party transaction under the applicable SEC rules and is therefore reported as such our 2023 20-F “Related Party Transactions”.
Our Exclusive License with Agomab for ARGX-114 (AGMB-101)
In March 2019, we entered into an exclusive out-license with Agomab for the use of certain patent rights relating to our proprietary suite of technologies for the development and commercialization of a series of agonistic anti-MET SIMPLE ANTIBODY™ generated antibodies, including ARGX-114 (AGMB-101), a halofuginone-mimetic antibody directed against the MET receptor. Agomab is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize at least one licensed product. In connection with our entry into this agreement, we received a profit-sharing certificate which entitles us to 20% of all distributions to Agomab’s shareholders (which shall be reduced to 10% following the filing of an IND and is subject to further adjustment upon the occurrence of certain financings). Upon the occurrence of a qualified initial public offering of Agomab, the profit-sharing certificate will automatically be converted into the equivalent number of ordinary shares in Agomab. This agreement is subject to mutual termination for material breach or insolvency and automatically expires upon the expiration of the last to expire of our licensed patent rights.
Our Exclusive License with Broteio for empasiprubart
In March 2017, we entered into a collaboration with Broteio in connection with our IIP, to develop an antibody against a novel target in the complement cascade, empasiprubart (Broteio Agreement). Under the Broteio Agreement, we are jointly developing the complement-targeted antibody to seek to establish preclinical POC using our proprietary suite of technologies. Upon successful completion of these clinical trials, we exercised an exclusive option to in-license the program in March 2018 and assumed responsibility for further development and commercialization. Pursuant to the Broteio Agreement, we are obligated to make milestone payments upon the occurrence of certain development milestones (up to an aggregate of €4.0 million), commercialization milestones (up to an aggregate of €10.0 million) and pay tiered royalties on net sales in the low single digits. We may terminate the Broteio Agreement for convenience upon 90 days prior written notice. The Broteio Agreement is also subject to mutual termination for material breach or insolvency and automatically expires upon the expiration of our financial obligations thereunder.
Our Exclusive License with VIB for ARGX-118
In November 2016, we entered into a collaboration under our IIP with VIB vzw (VIB) to develop antibodies against Galectin-10, the protein of Charcot-Ley-den Crystals, which play a major role in severe asthma and the persistence of mucus plugs, including ARGX-118 (VIB Agreement). Pursuant to the VIB Agreement, we are jointly developing antibodies against Galectin-10 using our proprietary suite of technologies. Upon successful completion of this initial research, we exercised an exclusive option to in-license the program and assumed responsibility for further development and commercialization. Under the VIB Agreement, including as amended in November 2018, we are obligated to make milestone payments upon the occurrence of certain development milestones (up to an aggregate of €4.0 million), commercialization milestones (up to an aggregate of €11.0 million) and pay tiered royalties on net sales in the low single digits. We may terminate the VIB Agreement for convenience upon 90 days prior written notice. The VIB Agreement is also subject to mutual termination for material breach, insolvency or certain patent challenges and automatically expires upon the expiration of VIB’s licensed patent rights.
Our Exclusive License with the University of Texas for NHANCE™ and ABDEG™
In February 2012, we entered into an exclusive in-license with the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (UT BoR) for the use of certain patent rights relating to the NHANCE™ platform for any use worldwide (the UT Agreement). The UT Agreement was amended on December 23, 2014 to also include certain additional patent rights relating to the ABDEG™ platform. Upon commercialization of any of our products that use the in-licensed patent rights, we will be obligated to pay UT BoR a percentage of net sales as a royalty until the expiration of any patents covering the product. This royalty varies with net sales volume and is subject to an adjustment for royalties we receive from a sublicensee of our rights under the UT Agreement, but in any event does not exceed 1%. In addition, we must make annual license maintenance payments to UT BoR until termination of the UT Agreement and we have assumed certain development and commercial milestone payment and reimbursement obligations. We also have diligence requirements with respect to development and commercialization of products which use the in-licensed patent rights.
Pursuant to the UT Agreement, we may grant sublicenses to third parties. If we receive any non-royalty income in connection with such sublicenses, we must pay UT BoR a percentage of such income varying from low-middle single digits to middle-upper single digits depending on the nature of the sublicense. Such fees are waived if a sublicensee agrees to pay the milestone payments as set forth in the UT Agreement.
We may unilaterally terminate the UT Agreement for convenience upon prior written notice. Absent early termination, the UT Agreement will automatically expire upon the expiration of all issued patents and filed patent applications within the patent rights covered by the UT Agreement. Our royalty payment obligations expire, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, at such time as there are no valid claims covering such product.
Our Non-Exclusive License with BioWa and Non-Exclusive Commercial Licenses with BioWa and Lonza for POTELLIGENT®
In October 2010, we entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with BioWa, Inc. (BioWa) for the use of certain patents and know-how owned by BioWa and relating to its POTELLIGENT® platform technology, for use in the field of prevention and treatment of human diseases (the BioWa Agreement). Pursuant to the BioWa Agreement, we are granted a non-exclusive right to use POTELLIGENT® to research and develop antibodies and products containing such antibodies using POTELLIGENT®.
In 2013 and 2014, we entered into non-exclusive license agreements for POTELLIGENT® CHOK1SV with BioWa and Lonza for the further development, manufacturing and commercialization of ARGX-110 and ARGX-111, respectively (the POTELLIGENT® License Agreements).
Upon commercialization of our products developed using POTELLIGENT®, we will be obligated to pay BioWa and Lonza a percentage of net sales of a licensed product as a royalty. This royalty varies with net sales volume, ranging in the low single digits, and it is reduced by half if during the following 10 years from the first commercial sale of the product in a country the last valid claim within the licensed patent(s) that covers the product expires or ends. In addition, we must make annual research license maintenance payments which cease with commencement of our royalty payments to BioWa. We have diligence requirements with respect to the continuation of development and commercialization of products. We have also assumed certain development, regulatory and commercial milestone payment obligations and must report on our progress toward achieving these milestones on an annual basis. Milestones to BioWa are to be paid on a commercial target-by-commercial target basis, and we are obligated to make milestone payments in aggregate amounts of up to $36.0 million per commercial target should we achieve annual global sales of over $1.0 billion.
Pursuant to the POTELLIGENT® License Agreements, we have the right to grant sublicenses to third parties. BioWa retains a right of first negotiation for the exclusive right to develop and commercialize, in certain countries only, any product we develop using POTELLIGENT®.
We may terminate the POTELLIGENT® License Agreements at any time by sending BioWa and Lonza prior written notice. Absent early termination, the POTELLIGENT® License Agreements will automatically expire upon the expiry of our royalty obligations under the POTELLIGENT® License Agreements. In the event a POTELLIGENT® License Agreement is terminated for any reason, the license granted to us would terminate but BioWa would grant our sublicensees a direct license following such termination. In the event the POTELLIGENT® License Agreement is terminated other than for our breach or insolvency, we would retain the right to sell licensed products then on hand for a certain period of time post-termination.
Our non-exclusive license with Lonza for Multi-product GS Xceed-License
On February 4, 2015, we entered into a non-exclusive multi-product in-license agreement with Lonza (the Multi-Product License) for use of Lonza’s proprietary glutamine synthetase gene expression system known as GS Xceed™ consisting of Chinese hamster ovary cell line and the vectors for the manufacturing of drug substance (the System). The System is used for the manufacturing of, amongst others, efgartigimod, empasiprubart and ARGX-119.
Pursuant to the Multi-Product License, we have the right to grant sublicenses to certain pre-approved third parties without prior written consent of Lonza, but otherwise we must obtain Lonza’s prior written consent.
We have assumed certain development, regulatory and commercial milestone payment obligations to Lonza. We are required to pay such milestones using the System. We are obligated to make development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments to Lonza.
We may terminate the Multi-Product License on a product-by-product basis by giving Lonza prior written notice. Lonza may terminate the Multi-Product License solely in case of breach or insolvency events. Absent early termination, the Multi-Product License will automatically expire upon the expiry of the last valid claim for such product. We or our strategic partners would retain the right to sell the respective products then on hand post-termination.
Our Collaboration with Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) and Sopartec S.A. (Sopartec) for GARP
In January 2013, we entered into a collaboration and exclusive product license agreement with UCL and its technology transfer company Sopartec to discover and develop novel human therapeutic antibodies against GARP (GARP Agreement). Pursuant to the GARP Agreement, each party is responsible for all of its own costs in connection with the activities assigned to it under a mutually agreed research plan.
In January 2015, we exercised the option we were granted under the GARP Agreement to enter into an exclusive, worldwide commercial in-license for use of certain GARP-related intellectual property rights owned by UCL and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research to further develop and commercialize licensed products, including the GARP-neutralizing antibody ARGX-115 which was discovered under the original collaboration (GARP License). Upon the expiration of the GARP Agreement, the GARP License will become a fully paid-up, perpetual worldwide exclusive license under the GARP intellectual property for any purpose, subject to UCL’s retention of non-commercial research rights.
Pursuant to the GARP License, we may grant sublicenses to third parties and affiliates of such third parties. In 2016, we entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with AbbVie regarding ARGX-115. From any income we receive in connection with these sublicenses, such as in connection with AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, we must pay Sopartec a percentage of that income in the lower teen digit range. Royalty payment obligations expire on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis when there are no valid claims covering the ARGX-115 product. We also have diligence obligations with respect to the continued development and commercialization of ARGX-115 products.
Our Exclusive License with NYU Langone Health and LUMC for ARGX-119
In 2019 and 2020, we entered into collaboration and exclusive license agreements with NYU Langone Health and LUMC under our IIP to develop antibodies targeting the MuSK, for the treatment neuromuscular diseases, which play a major role at the neuromuscular junction (NYU and LUMC Agreements). Pursuant to the NYU and LUMC Agreements, we, NYU and LUMC jointly developed antibodies against MuSK using our proprietary suite of technologies. Under the NYU and LUMC Agreements, as amended, we are obligated to make milestone payments upon the occurrence of certain development milestones, commercialization milestones and pay tiered royalties on net sales in the low single digits.