Roche boosts immunotherapy with Inovio deal

ZURICH (Reuters) – Swiss drugmaker Roche has struck an exclusive global licensing deal with Inovio Pharmaceuticals to develop vaccines to fight cancer and hepatitis B. Under Tuesday’s deal, Roche will pay $10 million up front, with development and commercial milestones of up to $412.5 million for exclusive access to Inovio’s DNA-based vaccines INO-5150 for prostate cancer and INO-1800 for hepatitis B. Inovio will also be entitled to up to double-digit tiered royalties on product sales. …