BioNTech, a Mainz, Germany-based immunotherapy provider, have entered into a multiyear exclusive collaboration and license agreement to leverage the scientific expertise of the two organizations to discover and develop up to five cancer immunotherapies, each consisting of a mixture of synthetic messenger RNAs (mRNAs).

Sanofi and BioNTech have agreed to $60 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, payable to BioNTech. Further, BioNTech could receive more than $300 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestones and other payments per product. If commercialized successfully, BioNTech also would be eligible for tiered royalties on net sales up to double digits. In addition, BioNTech has the option to co-develop and co-commercialize two of the five mRNA therapeutics products with Sanofi in the E.U. and the U.S.

BioNTech will combine the use of its proprietary mRNA technology platform with its capabilities in developing immune-stimulating pharmaceuticals. BioNTech will utilize its mRNA formulation technology, which enables targeted mRNA delivery in vivo, to generate novel cancer immunotherapies. BioNTech also will supply part of the mRNA material needed for development activities from its in-house GMP manufacturing unit.