GSK has agreed to pay $750 million for global rights to a multiple myeloma drug candidate developed by Chimagen Biosciences. The therapy is a T cell engager designed to bind three targets, and it is ready to enter Phase 1 testing.
The deal reflects GSK's view that a tri-specific format could outperform currently available bispecific T cell engagers, which target two antigens. By engaging an additional target, the drug may improve tumor cell killing or reduce resistance, though the exact mechanism is not detailed in the announcement.
GSK is not alone in this area. The report notes that other large pharmaceutical companies are also working on tri-specific T cell engagers, suggesting growing interest in moving beyond bispecific designs for blood cancers.