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Sept 18 (Reuters) - Boehringer Ingelheim is betting on acancer vaccine to fight lung tumours after signing a deal worthup to $600 million with U.S.-based CureVac, despite recentdisappointments with cancer vaccines from rival firms.
The unlisted German drugmaker said on Thursday it wasinvesting 35 million euros ($45 million) upfront, with CureVacentitled to a further 430 million euros - plus royalties on anyeventual sales - if the experimental project is a success.
The exclusive global licence and development deal focuses onCureVac's therapeutic vaccine CV9202, which is in early clinicaldevelopment.
Unlike preventative vaccines, therapeutic ones are designedfor patients who already have a disease but scientists have sofar struggled to make the technology work.
In April, GlaxoSmithKline threw in the towel on alung cancer vaccine in late-stage development following poorresults.
Boehringer will investigate CV9202 in at least two differentsettings, in combination with its drug afatinib and togetherwith chemo-radiation therapy. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by David Clarke)
