Bayer Schering Pharma to develop new BiTE antibody for treatment of solid tumors

Dec 1 2009

Micromet, Inc. (Nasdaq: MITI), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, proprietary antibodies for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases today announced that Bayer Schering Pharma AG has exercised its option under the option, collaboration and license agreement entered into on January 12, 2009 to develop a new BiTE antibody for the treatment of solid tumors.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer Schering Pharma had an option until January 5, 2010 to license a specific BiTE antibody targeting an undisclosed target. The option exercise triggers a formal collaboration between Micromet and Bayer Schering Pharma on the development of the BiTE antibody. Micromet will be primarily responsible for the preclinical development of the BiTE antibody, and will collaborate with Bayer through the completion of phase 1 clinical trials, at which point Bayer Schering Pharma will assume full control of the further development and commercialization of the BiTE antibody. Micromet will receive an option exercise fee of Euro 5 million (approx. $7.5 million), and is eligible for further milestone payments of up to Euro 285 million (approx. $426 million) in total and up to double digit royalties on net sales of the BiTE antibody. In addition, Micromet will be reimbursed for its R&D expenses.

"BiTE antibodies represent a promising approach to cancer therapy," said Dr. Karl Ziegelbauer, Head Therapeutic Research Oncology of Bayer Schering Pharma AG. "We are pleased with the progress of the program since the signing of the agreement in January of this year. We are looking forward to developing a new treatment for patients with solid tumors and to further advance novel therapeutic options in our oncology portfolio."

Jens Hennecke, Micromet's Senior Vice President for Business Development added: "Our research and preclinical development teams have done an excellent job in advancing the program since January of this year. Bayer Schering Pharma's early option exercise is a recognition of Micromet's development capabilities and confirms the promise of our BiTE antibody platform."