GSK and iTeos Therapeutics to Co-develop Cancer Antibody EOS-448

GSK plc and iTeos Therapeutics announced on Monday an agreement to co-develop and co-commercialise EOS-448, an anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody currently in Phase I clinical trials for advanced cancers. The drug targets the TIGIT protein, which is part of the CD226 checkpoint axis.

Under the terms of the deal, GSK will pay iTeos an upfront fee of $625 million. iTeos is also eligible for up to $1.45 billion in milestone payments and royalties on ex-US sales. The companies will share global development responsibilities and costs. In the United States, they will jointly commercialise the drug and split profits equally.

GSK stated that this collaboration strengthens its portfolio in immuno-oncology. The company believes that combining TIGIT inhibitors with other immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1 blockers, could offer improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients. EOS-448, alongside GSK's existing assets targeting CD96 and PVRIG, allows the company to explore combinations across the CD226 axis.

GSK and iTeos plan to initiate combination studies of EOS-448 with dostarlimab, GSK's anti-PD-1 therapy, in 2022. GSK is also developing other targeted antibodies for related checkpoints, aiming to create novel combination therapies for various cancers.