FORM 6-K
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Report
of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant
to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
month of July 2022
Commission
File Number: 001-11960
AstraZeneca PLC
1
Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge
Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AA
United
Kingdom
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AstraZeneca PLC
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
1.
AstraZeneca to acquire TeneoTwo and T cell engager
5 July 2022 07:00 BST
AstraZeneca to acquire TeneoTwo and its clinical-stage
T-cell engager, strengthening haematological cancer
pipeline
TNB-486 will
be evaluated in multiple types of lymphoma
AstraZeneca today announced an agreement to acquire TeneoTwo, Inc.
(TeneoTwo)i,
including its Phase I clinical-stage CD19/CD3 T-cell engager,
TNB-486, currently under evaluation in relapsed and refractory
B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma1.
The acquisition of TNB-486 aims to accelerate the development of
this potential new medicine for B-cell haematologic malignancies,
including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
Building on the success of Calquence (acalabrutinib), TNB-486 further diversifies
AstraZeneca's haematology pipeline that spans multiple
therapeutic modalities and mechanisms to address a broad spectrum
of blood cancers.
TNB-486 belongs to a class of therapeutic antibodies known as
T-cell engagers, which are emerging as a promising therapeutic
approach in haematologic malignancies and solid tumours. T-cell
engagers are bispecific molecules that are engineered to redirect
the immune system's T-cells to recognise and kill cancer cells. By
binding to both CD19, an antigen expressed on B-cells, and to the
CD3 receptor on T-cells, TNB-486 activates and recruits T-cells to
CD19-expressing tumours where they can elicit an immune
response.
Anas Younes, Senior Vice President Haematology R&D, AstraZeneca
said: "By redirecting the body's natural immune response to
target B-cell malignancies, TNB-486 alone or in combination with
CD20-targeted therapy could potentially deepen clinical responses
and improve patient outcomes. We believe this innovative molecule,
which was designed to optimise the therapeutic window of T-cell
activation, will enable us to explore novel combinations that have
the potential to become new standards of care in this
setting."
Financial considerations
AstraZeneca will acquire all outstanding equity of TeneoTwo in
exchange for an upfront payment of $100m on deal
closing.
Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will make additional
contingent R&D-related milestone payments of up to $805m and
additional contingent commercial-related milestone payments of up
to $360m to TeneoTwo's equity holders.
Overall, the transaction will be accounted for as an intangible
asset acquisition, recognised initially at the present value of
non-contingent consideration, with future milestones capitalised
into the intangible asset as they are recognised.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022,
subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances.
The transaction does not impact AstraZeneca's financial guidance
for 2022.
iTeneoTwo, Inc., is a majority
owned subsidiary company of TBio, LLC, a limited liability company
formed in Delaware, US
Notes
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition
to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to
understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and
deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It
is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of
the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the
potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and
transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day,
eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca in haematology
AstraZeneca is pushing the boundaries of science to redefine care
in haematology. We have expanded our commitment to patients with
haematologic conditions, not only in oncology but also in rare
diseases with the acquisition of Alexion, allowing us to reach more
patients with high unmet needs. By applying our deep understanding
of blood cancers, leveraging our strength in solid tumour oncology
and delivering on Alexion's pioneering legacy in complement science
to provide transformative medicines for rare diseases, we are
pursuing the end-to-end development of novel therapies designed to
target underlying drivers of disease.
By targeting haematological conditions with high unmet medical
needs, we aim to deliver innovative medicines and approaches to
improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to help transform the lives
of patients living with malignant, rare and other related
haematologic diseases, shaped by insights from patients, caregivers
and physicians to have the most meaningful impact.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led
biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery,
development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in
Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including
Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory &
Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over
100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of
patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and
follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please
click here.
For Media contacts, click here.
References
1. Clinicaltrials.gov. A Study of
TNB-486 in Subjects With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin
Lymphoma. Available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04594642.
Accessed 27 June 2022.
Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: 5
July 2022
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By: /s/
Adrian Kemp
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Name:
Adrian Kemp
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Title:
Company Secretary
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