BioAtla, Inc. ("BioAtla") (NASDAQ:BCAB), a global clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of Conditionally Active Biologic ("CAB") antibody therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors, and Context Therapeutics Inc. ("Context") (NASDAQ:CNTX), a biopharmaceutical company advancing T cell engaging ("TCE") bispecific antibodies for solid tumors, today announced that the companies have entered into an agreement under which Context has obtained from BioAtla an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize BA3362, BioAtla's Nectin-4 x CD3 TCE. Context will assume and fund all development and commercialization activities.
"With the successful out-licensing of BA3362 to Context, we will continue to focus on execution of our lead clinical CAB programs, while ensuring the potential advancement of BA3362 under the leadership of a seasoned team," said Jay M. Short, Ph.D., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of BioAtla. "We believe this transaction marks the first of multiple collaborations, including a targeted collaboration for one of our Phase 2 assets over the coming months, thereby increasing shareholder value through non-dilutive means."
"This transaction is consistent with our focus on building a pipeline of TCE assets through strategic in-licensing or acquisition," said Martin Lehr, CEO of Context. "Nectin-4 is a priority target for Context given the target's high prevalence in solid tumors and the unmet need to address potential resistance to Nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugates. We identified BioAtla's Nectin-4 TCE antibody as a potentially best-in-class asset. BA3362 is built from BioAtla's compelling CAB platform technology that uses pH-dependency to drive selective Nectin-4 binding and T cell activation within the tumor microenvironment."
Under the terms of the agreement, BioAtla is eligible to receive up to $133.5 million in aggregate payments, including $15.0 million in upfront and near-term milestones with additional potential clinical, development and commercial milestones totaling $118.5 million, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.
Tungsten Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to BioAtla. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP served as legal counsel to BioAtla. Piper Sandler served as sole financial advisor to Context. Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Context.
About BA3362 (Nectin-4 x CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody)
BA3362 targets Nectin cell adhesion protein 4 ("Nectin-4"), which is highly and frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers. Nectin-4 is a clinically-validated target for cancer therapy using a traditional antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), but it is also associated with certain adverse events, including neuropathy and rash. BA3362 is a CAB T cell engager that is designed to be preferentially active within the tumor microenvironment.
