Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V., a biotechnology company, and U.S.-based NeoTropiX, Inc. announced that they have entered into a PER.C6 technology licensing agreement for viral therapy in the field of oncology.

Under the terms of the agreement, NeoTropiX will receive a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use PER.C6 technology for research and clinical development of viral therapy products in the field of oncology, with an option for a commercial license. Crucell will receive upfront and annual payments. Further financial details were not disclosed.

"We are very pleased that through our PER.C6 technology we can support NeoTropiX's compelling and exciting research endeavors in the field of oncology," said Ronald Brus, Crucell's president and CEO. "Crucell's own therapeutics are currently directed towards infectious diseases, and our agreement with NeoTropiX potentially enables us to contribute towards meeting unmet medical needs in cancer treatment as well."

"This pivotal agreement with Crucell provides NeoTropiX with the essential tools to manufacture virus products now and through Phase III trials," said Dr. Paul Hallenbeck, president of NeoTropiX. "The Biologics Master File (BMF) on Crucell's cell line at the FDA makes the PER.C6 technology ready for use right away in our efforts to discover novel viral oncology therapies."