Nov 23, 2023

23.11.2023 09:48, Rita Longobardi In a strategic move to fortify its position in the rapidly evolving field of immuno-oncology, Boehringer Ingelheim has successfully acquired T3 Pharma, a leading Swiss biotech company specializing in bacterial cancer therapy. The acquisition, valued at up to CHF 450 million, represents a significant expansion of T3 Pharma's innovating technology, which employs live bacteria to deliver immune-modulating proteins to cancer cells and tumor micro-environments. Boehringer Ingelheim seeks to significantly increase the 15-20% remission rate in cancer patients by employing diverse immuno-oncology platforms, including T-cell engagers, oncolytic viruses, and cancer vaccines. These complementary approaches aim to transform cold tumors into hot ones, expanding the benefits of immunotherapy to a broader patient base. T3 Pharma 's innovative technology adds to Boehringer Ingelheim's arsenal of immune-modulatory cancer treatments, aligning with the company's commitment to revolutionize cancer care. CEO Simon Ittig expresses excitement about integrating T3 Pharma's bacterial delivery platform, foreseeing accelerated development to combat solid cancers effectively: “We are extremely proud of the work of T3 Pharma’s team and very excited to continue and accelerate the successful development of our bacterial delivery platform as part of Boehringer Ingelheim. Being integrated with our partners at Boehringer will enable us to realize the full potential of our platform to fight solid cancers.” Utilizing engineered Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria, T3 Pharma's exclusive platform selectively delivers bioactive proteins to the tumor micro-environment, sparing healthy tissues. The bacteria can carry multiple immune-modulatory proteins, facilitating the design of combination therapies within a single agent. Boehringer Ingelheim's comprehensive cancer therapy approach combines cell-directed and immuno-oncology strategies. This approach seeks to create intelligent combinations for life-changing and best-in-class treatments. The company actively engages with emerging science, collaborates with a global network of academic and industry leaders, and invests in startups through initiatives like the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, a key investor in T3 Pharma. T3 Pharma was ranked among the  TOP 100 Swiss Startups in 2017, 2019, and 2020, as well as the TOP 100 Scale-ups in 2021. T3 Pharma's team: Dr. Christoph A. Kasper (Chief Scientific Officer), Dr. Claire Barton (Chief Medical Officer), and Dr. Simon J. Ittig (CEO) T3 Pharmaceuticals AG: Developing the next generation bacterial cancer therapy The vision of T3 Pharmaceuticals Ltd is to improve the lives of cancer patients by developing very specific and efficient therapies using live bacteria. The Company was founded in May 2015 as a spin-o... Read more Categories