Asked about the terms of IBRX's deal with the Serum Institute and whether IBRX gets part of the sales price from Serum Institute and other questions about the significance of the latest PR, Chat GPT provided the following information which I share below:
?ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX) entered into an exclusive global agreement with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to ensure a steady supply of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for cancer treatments. This collaboration involves the production of both standard BCG (sBCG) and a next-generation recombinant BCG (rBCG), intended for use in combination with ImmunityBio's ANKTIVA® (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln), which received FDA approval in 2024 for treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) .? immunitybio.com+2Pharmaceutical Technology+2seruminstitute.com+2 immunitybio.com+5immunitybio.com+5Pharmaceutical Technology+5
The partnership aims to address the chronic shortage of BCG in the U.S., which has significantly impacted bladder cancer treatment. In a recent survey of 100 U.S. urologists, 57% reported being unable to treat patients in the past 12 months due to BCG shortages . To mitigate this issue, the FDA authorized ImmunityBio's Expanded Access Program (EAP) for rBCG, allowing multiple urology centers across the U.S. to administer this alternative source of BCG .?
Specific financial terms of the agreement between ImmunityBio and the Serum Institute of India, including details about profit-sharing, royalties, or other payments, have not been publicly disclosed. Therefore, it's unclear whether ImmunityBio receives a portion of the revenue from rBCG sales or any royalties from SII.?
The initiation of the rBCG EAP is significant for ImmunityBio as it not only addresses the BCG shortage but also positions the company to potentially increase the adoption of ANKTIVA in combination therapies. The availability of rBCG ensures that patients can receive the full course of their cancer treatment, which may lead to improved outcomes and increased demand for ANKTIVA. This development could positively impact ImmunityBio's sales and strengthen its position in the oncology market.?
Furthermore, ImmunityBio has reported a notable increase in ANKTIVA sales following the issuance of a permanent J-code (J9028) in January 2025. Specifically, February 2025 saw a 67% increase in unit sales compared to January, and the combined sales for January and February 2025 exceeded the total units sold in Q4 2024 . The availability of rBCG through the EAP is expected to further support this sales momentum by ensuring that the necessary BCG supply is available for combination treatments with ANKTIVA.? Business Wire+1stocktitan.net+1
In summary, while the exact financial arrangements between ImmunityBio and the Serum Institute of India remain undisclosed, the collaboration is strategically important. It addresses a critical BCG shortage, facilitates the broader adoption of ANKTIVA, and is likely to have a positive impact on ImmunityBio's sales and market presence in the oncology sector. |
