Genmab to assume full control of development, commercialization of acasunlimab

Genmab (GMAB) announced that it will assume sole responsibility for the continued development and potential commercialization of acasunlimab. BioNTech SE (BNTX) has opted not to participate in the further development of the acasunlimab program under the parties’ existing collaboration agreement. The program will be subject to payment of certain milestones and a tiered single-digit royalty on net sales by Genmab to BioNTech. Genmab plans to initiate the Phase 3 study in the second half of this year. While the emerging clinical profile of acasunlimab is encouraging, BioNTech informed the company that it has taken this decision for reasons relating to its portfolio strategy. The companies’ long-standing collaboration in antibody science remains in place, and both parties will continue with the existing programs under development under their existing agreements, which were expanded in 2022. The decision by BioNTech to not participate in the further development of the acasunlimab program is not expected to impact Genmab’s 2024 financial guidance.