Based on the terms of the agreement, HOOKIPA is entitled to a milestone payment from Gilead.
HOOKIPA has completed the research milestone for HBV by designing and delivering 10 research-grade vectors to Gilead, along with the characterization of these vectors and delivery of a data package for the HBV program. This follows the delivery of 14 research-grade vectors for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) program in January.
The research vectors delivered by HOOKIPA will be subject to further pre-clinical testing in order to validate a clinical candidate for novel combination therapies for the treatment of HBV.
The research collaboration and license agreement - entered in June 2018 - grants Gilead exclusive rights to HOOKIPA’s TheraT® and VaxWave®investigational arenavirus-based immunization technologies for the development of immunotherapies against HBV and HIV. Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead provided an upfront payment of $10 million and will fund all research and development activities. HOOKIPA will be eligible to receive milestone payments based upon the achievement of specified research, development, regulatory, and commercial milestones up to a total of approximately $400 million. HOOKIPA will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.