Genentech has licensed exclusive rights to use ImmunoGen's Tumour-Activated Prodrug (TAP) technology with therapeutic antibodies to an undisclosed target. This is the third such license to be taken by Genentech. In addition to this license, Genentech previously licensed exclusive rights to use ImmunoGen's TAP technology with therapeutic antibodies to another undisclosed target and to use it with therapeutic antibodies to HER2, ImmunoGen announced here.

Under the terms of the license, ImmunoGen receives a $1 million license payment, and is entitled to receive milestone payments. ImmunoGen also receives royalties on the sales of any resulting products. Genentech is responsible for the development, manufacturing, and marketing of any products resulting from the license.

This license stems from an agreement between the companies - established in 2000 and renewed by Genentech in 2005 - that grants Genentech certain rights to test ImmunoGen's maytansinoid TAP technology with Genentech's therapeutic antibodies to specific targets, and to license rights to use the technology to develop products.

Mitchel Sayare, ImmunoGen Chairman and CEO, commented, "We now have several agreements in place with Genentech - the three license agreements that enable them to develop TAP products to different targets and the technology access agreement that enables them to test our TAP technology with other of their therapeutic antibodies."