Dyax expands Ab deal with Biogen

Biotherapeutics firm Dyax says it has expanded its antibody funded research and library license agreement with fellow USA-based Biogen Idec  to include the discovery of additional antibody products identified  using Dyax' proprietary drug discovery technology, phage display.

Dyax has utilized phage display to generate on behalf of Biogen Idec  high-affinity, fully-human antibody candidates, including BIIB-022,  currently in Phase I clinical trials for oncology, and one additional  product targeting LINGO-1 for multiple sclerosis moving into the clinic.  Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Dyax has guaranteed a  minimum of10 additional product licenses to Biogen Idec. Additionally,  Dyax has granted its partner a non-exclusive license to its antibody  libraries and will carry out antibody discovery-funded research over a  three-year period. In exchange, the company will receive a $5.0 million  upfront fee and guaranteed research funding, and is eligible to get  $85.0 million in development and sales milestones, as well as royalties  for each antibody product that is commercialized by Biogen Idec using  Dyax' technology.