BRIEF—Tocagen and ApolloBio move ahead with collaboration

San Diegan gene therapy specialist Tocagen has closed a deal with a subsidiary of Beijing’s ApolloBio which grants the exclusive right to develop and commercialize the candidates Toca 511 & Toca FC in China.

ApolloBio says it has garnered all regulatory approvals for the agreement and paid Tocagen an upfront payment of $16 million.

Tocagen is also eligible to receive potential payments of $4 million in near-term development milestones, including a milestone for the completion of enrollment in an ongoing Phase III Toca 5 study.

Tocagen will be eligible for additional future payments totaling up to $111 million upon meeting certain development and commercial milestones, plus low double-digit royalties on sales.