Precision medicine company Tempus, and antibody therapeutics company Genmab have announced a strategic collaboration that will leverage Tempus’ sequencing capabilities and platform of integrated clinical and molecular data with Genmab’s translational, biomarker and target discovery expertise. The companies will work together, based upon novel insights identified by Genmab, to advance new disease targets and biomarkers that may have the potential to generate new treatments in oncology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genmab will lead development and commercial development of any identified therapy candidates, while Tempus will receive milestones and royalties on any developed products. Tempus also has an option to provide funding for future development programs to increase its royalty payments.

“Tempus has built the world’s largest library of clinical and molecular data, is a leader in the field of personalized medicine and like Genmab, Tempus has a mission to improve the lives of cancer patients, said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., CEO of Genmab in a press release. “We are looking forward to expanding our exciting partnership with them and to the possibility of discovering important new oncology targets and biomarkers.”

Founded in 1999, Copenhagen, Denmark-based Genmab is a cancer therapy discovery and development company specializing in differentiated antibody therapeutics. It has two approved antibodies, Darzalex (daratumumab) for the treatment of certain multiple myeloma indications, and Arzerra (ofatumumab) for the treatment of certain chronic lymphocytic leukemia indications. Daratumumab is also in Phase 3 clinical development for additional mutilple myeloma indications with partner pharma Janssen, while ofatumumab is in Phase 3 trials (with partner Novartis) as a treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Another antibody in late clinical trials is teprotumumab, partnered with Horizon Discovery, for the treatment of thyroid eye disease.