BioNTech inks global deal with Poland's Ryvu

Shares of Poland-based oncology specialist Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU) closed up 17.7% at 51.19 zloty today, on news that the company had entered into a multi-target research collaboration with Germany’s BioNTech (Nasdaq: BNTX) for several small molecule immunotherapy programs as well as an exclusive license agreement for Ryvu’s STING agonist portfolio as standalone small molecules.

The global collaboration will consist of two parts: BioNTech will receive a global, exclusive license to develop and commercialize Ryvu’s STING agonist portfolio as standalone small molecules, including as monotherapy and in therapeutic combinations.

In addition, BioNTech and Ryvu will jointly undertake drug discovery and research projects to develop multiple small molecule programs directed at exclusive targets selected by BioNTech, primarily focused on immune modulation within oncology, with potential applications in other disease areas. BioNTech has the option to license global development and commercialization rights to these programs at the development candidate stage.