Ropes & Gray represented San Francisco-based Vir Biotechnology in an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Sanofi for three clinical stage masked T-cell engagers (TCEs) and exclusive use of the protease-cleavable masking platform for oncology and infectious diseases acquired by Sanofi from Amunix Pharmaceuticals.

Under the agreement, Sanofi will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive future milestone payments and tiered royalties on any sales. Sanofi employees with scientific and development expertise in TCEs and the masking platform technology will be joining Vir.

Sanofi’s proprietary masking platform can be applied to TCEs and other molecules by exploiting the high protease activity of the tumor environment to specifically activate drugs in tumor tissues.

The Ropes & Gray team included IP transactions partners Megan Baca and Hannah England, litigation & enforcement partners Mike McFalls and Lisa Kaltenbrunner, litigation & enforcement counsel Deidre Johnson and tax counsel Michael Mendel.