China-based WuXi Biologics, a leading global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO), has announced a license agreement with British firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under which GSK will have exclusive licenses for up to four bi- & multi-specific T cell engager (TCE) antibodies developed using WuXi Biologics' proprietary technology platforms.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will be granted an exclusive global license for the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of a pre-clinical bispecific antibody that crosslinks tumour cells and T cells by targeting a tumour-associated antigen (TAA) on tumour cells and CD3 expression on T cells and up to three additional pre-clinical TCE antibodies currently at an earlier discovery stage.

WuXi Biologics will receive a $40 million upfront payment and up to $1.46 billion in additional payments for research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones across the four TCE antibodies. WuXi Biologics is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.