NIH, Lion Biotechnologies deal

NIH granted Lion exclusive, worldwide rights to use NIH’s tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in four new oncology indications, amending an existing agreement. The amendment gives Lion rights to develop TIL therapies to treat bladder, lung, breast and HPV-associated cancers. In February, NIH granted Lion an exclusive, worldwide license to develop TIL immunotherapies to treat metastatic melanoma.

Lion expects to submit an IND to FDA by year end to treat one or two HPV-associated cancers. Last month, Lion began a Phase II trial of LN-144, an autologous T cell therapy that uses TILs derived from the patient’s tumor, to treat metastatic melanoma. ...