1. |
IMMUNOCORE LIMITED (registered number 6456207) whose registered office is at 57c Milton Park, Abingdon,
Oxfordshire, OX14 4RX, United Kingdom (“Immunocore”); and
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2. |
GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Ltd whose registered office is at 980 Great West Road, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, United Kingdom (“GSK”)
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A. |
GSK and its Affiliates are a global pharmaceutical company with expertise in the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of human pharmaceuticals.
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B. |
Immunocore has extensive experience and intellectual property rights relating to the development of specifically targeted Compounds (as defined further below).
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C. |
GSK and Immunocore wish to collaborate to develop further Compounds and Immunocore desires to grant to GSK exclusive options to obtain exclusive licenses to Immunocore’s intellectual property rights to
further develop and commercialize Licensed Products (as defined below), in each case on the terms and conditions set out below.
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1. |
Definitions and Interpretation
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1.1 |
In this Agreement
the following words and expressions have the meaning set
opposite:
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Action
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has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.2;
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Affiliate
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means any company or other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with either Party, where ‘control’ means the ownership of more than 50% of the issued
share capital or other equity interest (or such lesser percentage which is the maximum allowed to be owned by an entity in a particular jurisdiction) or the legal power to direct or cause the direction of the general management and
policies of the relevant Party or such company or other entity; Adaptimmune shall not be considered to be an Affiliate of Immunocore for the purposes of this Agreement.
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Alliance Manager
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has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11;
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Applicable Laws
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means all laws, rules and regulations and guidelines which are in force during the term of this Agreement and in any jurisdiction in which the Collaboration Program is performed or in
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which any Licensed Product is manufactured, sold or supplied to the extent in each case applicable to any Party to this Agreement;
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Assignment Agreement
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means the Assignment and Exclusive License between Immunocore and Adaptimmune
Ltd (“Adaptimmune”) dated May 20, 2013;
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Background
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means any Intellectual Property Rights existing at the Effective Date of this Agreement;
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Biosimilar Application
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has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1;
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Biosimilar Product
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means any product which is found in any country to be interchangeable with or biosimilar to any Licensed Product and which as a result is subject to an abbreviated marketing authorisation, or any product which contains the same active
ingredient as the active ingredient in the Licensed Product;
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BPC&I Act
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means the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, and applicable regulations
promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time;
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Business Day
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means a day on which banking
institutions in London, England are open for business, but excluding the nine (9) consecutive calendar days beginning on December 24th and
continuing through January 1st of each calendar year during the Term, and all Saturdays and Sundays;
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CDA
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has the meaning set forth in Section 10.7;
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Claims
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means all suits, demands, claims, actions, proceedings, or liabilities (whether criminal or civil and
whether arising under contract, tort or under statute or otherwise) made by a Third Party;
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Clarification Agreement
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means the Amendment and Clarification Agreement between Immunocore and Adaptimmune, dated May 20,
2013;
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Clinical Trial
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means any human clinical trial or investigation in which a pharmaceutical product is administered to a person or patient including any Phase 1 Trial, Phase 2 Trial or Phase 3 Trial;
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Collaboration Program
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means a program of research to discover, optimize and develop a Compound through
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Completion of all Project Phases in the applicable agreed Research Plan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Collaboration Programs include Initial Programs;
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Collaboration Program Option
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has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2;
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Collaboration Program Option Period
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has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2;
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Commercially Reasonable Efforts
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means, with respect to a Party, such efforts that are consistent with the efforts and resources normally used by such Party in the exercise of its reasonable business discretion relating to the research, development and commercialization of a pharmaceutical product owned by it or to which it has exclusive rights, with similar product characteristics (such as treating the same or a similar Indication), which is of similar market potential at a similar stage in its development or product life, taking into account issues of patent coverage, safety and efficacy, product profile, the competitiveness
of the marketplace, the proprietary position of the compound or product, the regulatory structure involved, the potential or actual profitability of the applicable products (including pricing and
reimbursement status achieved or to be achieved), and other relevant factors, including technical, legal, scientific and/or medical factors. For purposes of clarity, Commercially Reasonable Efforts would be determined on a market-by-market and Indication-by-Indication basis for a particular product and it is anticipated that the level of effort may be different for different markets and may change over time, reflecting changes in the status of the product and the market(s) involved;
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Completion
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means in relation to any Project Phase, the earlier of either completion of all activities agreed for such Project Phase or commencement of activities under the next Project
Phase. In relation to a Collaboration Program, “Completion” means the earlier of (i)
completion of all activities of the final Project Phase or (ii) either commencement
of a Phase 1 Trial if the Collaboration Program is not an Initial Program, or
commencement of a Phase 2 Trial if the Collaboration Program is an Initial Program. In relation to a Clinical Trial “Completion” means the completion of the Clinical Trial and
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production of final report from Clinical Trial in accordance with Clinical Trial protocol;
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Compound
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means a product that comprises (a) a TCR or a portion of a TCR that comprises a TCR alpha chain variable domain and a TCR beta chain variable domain wherein the TCR or portion of the TCR binds to an HLA-presented antigen derived from a Target; and (b) an Effector;
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Confidential Information
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means (a) the Results; and (b) all technical, scientific or commercial information (in any form
or medium and including all copies of the same) concerning past, pre sent, and/ or future transactions, dealings, projects, plans, proposals, and other business affairs that (i) are disclosed directly or indirectly by one Party (the “disclosing Party”) to the other (the “receiving Party”) at any time in contemplation of or in connection
with this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt Confidential Information shall include resuIts, data, databases, practices, methods, techniques,
specifications, formulations, formulae, protein sequences, DNA sequences, know-how, skill, test data, procedures, process information;
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Controlled
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means that any Party has the right to grant any licence in relation to any Intellectual Property Right without violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangement with any Third Party and “Control” or “Controls” shall be
interpreted accordingly;
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Cover
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means with respect to a
particular patent or patent application and with reference to a particular product or process that the use, manufacture, sale, offer to sell, supply or import of such product or process would infringe a Valid Claim of such patent or
patent application (or a claim of the Joint Foreground), in the absence of the licences under this Agreement;
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CPR
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has the meaning set forth in Section 15.3;
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Data Sharing Initiative
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means GSK’s policy initiative, known at the Effective Date as the “SHARE Initiative”, to provide researchers with access to Clinical Trial and study information, including anonymised patient
level data and as communicated to Immunocore from time to time and each case provided such initiative does not require any
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material changes to any Immunocore
policies or operational practices;
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Dataroom
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means an electronic dataroom accessible by GSK and other existing or potential licensees of Immunocore which contains Confidential
Information in relation to Targets and in particular the following information relevant to each Target: [***];
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Dataroom Period
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.1;
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Deed
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means the Deed of
Assignment between Immunocore and Adaptimmune dated May 20, 2013;
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Defending Party
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has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.1;
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Development Additional Work
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has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.1;
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Development Candidate
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means a Compound meeting the
Development Candidate Criteria or designated as a Development Candidate by the JSC in accordance with Section 3.6;
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Development Candidate Criteria
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means the criteria to be achieved by any Compound during Project Phase 2 of any Collaboration Program as initially set forth in Section B of Exhibit A, which criteria may be modified for each applicable Collaboration Program by the JSC.
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Effective Date
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has the meaning set forth in the preamble;
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Effector
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means any protein or polypeptide having the ability to modulate cell function, a cytotoxic moiety or a diagnostic label, including derivatives or variants thereof;
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EMA
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means the European Medicines Agency, and any successor entity thereto;
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Entity
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.1;
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Executive Officers
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has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5;
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FDA
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Means the United States Food and Drug Administration, and any successor entity thereto;
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Field
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means any use or purpose, including the treatment, palliation, diagnosis or prevention of any human disease;
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First Commercial Sale
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means, with respect to any Licensed Product, the first sale in any country in the Territory by GSK, its Affiliates or their sublicensees after all required Regulatory Approvals have been granted in such country;
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Foreground
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means any Intellectual Property Rights in any Results or any Intellectual Property Rights arising as a result of the performance of a Party’s
obligations or exercise of a Party’s rights under this Agreement;
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FTE
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means the equivalent of the work of one employee full
time on the Collaboration Program and performing any function directly related to the
conduct of the applicable Research Plan;
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GAAP
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means Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
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GSK
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has the meaning set forth in the preamble;
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GSK Background
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means Background owned or Controlled by GSK or its Affiliates;
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GSK Foreground
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means Foreground which is solely conceived or reduced to practice by GSK, its Affiliates or their sublicensees or any of their sub-contractors;
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GSK Indemnified Parties
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has the meaning set forth in Section 11.9;
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GSK Patent Challenge
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has the meaning set forth
in Section 13.8;
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HLA
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means Human Leukocyte Antigen;
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HLA Program
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has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.2;
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ICC
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has the meaning set forth in Section 15.4;
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IFRS
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means International Financial Reporting Standards;
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Immunocore
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has the meaning set forth in the preamble;
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Immunocore Background
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means Background owned or Controlled by Immunocore, including the patents and patent applications listed on Schedule 3 but excluding any Third Party Platform Rights;
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Immunocore Foreground
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means Foreground solely conceived or reduced to practice by Immunocore or its sub-contractors;
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Immunocore Indemnified Parties
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has the meaning set forth in Section 11.8;
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Immunocore Patent Challenge
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has the meaning set forth in Section 13.9;
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Indication
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means a disease, treatment area or therapeutic indication in relation to which any Licensed Product has obtained Regulatory Approval. By
way of example a specific type or sub-type of cancer will be an Indication. For the purposes of payment of Milestone Fees an Indication will not include an extension, amendment or supplement to an existing Regulatory Approval for treatment of the same disease or different patient stratifications
within the same disease state;
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Infringement
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has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1;
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Infringement Notice
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has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1;
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Initial HLA Program
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2;
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Initial Program Option
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has the meaning set forth in Section
6.1;
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Initial Program Option Period
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has the meaning set forth in Section
6.1;
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Initial Programs
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means the Initial Target Programs and the Initial HLA Programs, collectively;
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Initial Target
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1;
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Initial Target Program
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1;
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Initiation Fee
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means the amount of either [***] per Collaboration Program, as applicable, as set forth in Schedule 2;
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Intellectual Property Rights
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means patents, rights to inventions, copyright and related rights, trademarks, trade names and domain
names, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database rights, rights in Confidential Information (including know-how) and any
other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications (or rights
to apply) for, and renewals or extensions of, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of
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protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world;
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Joint Foreground
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means any Foreground conceived or reduced to practice jointly by any of Immunocore or its sub- contractors on the one hand and any of GSK, its Affiliates or their sublicensees or any of their sub- contractors on the other hand;
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JPT
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has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6;
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JSC
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has the meaning given in Section 4.1;
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Lapse Notice
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has the meaning given in Section 7.3.5;
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Lead Additional Work
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has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.5.1;
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Lead Candidate
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means any Compound resulting
from the performance of a Project Phase 1 and which meets or is agreed to meet the Lead Candidate Criteria or in relation to which the Parties agree to proceed to Project Phase 2;
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Lead Candidate Criteria
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means the criteria to be achieved by Compounds as set forth in Section A of
Exhibit A, which criteria may be modified for each Collaboration Program by the JSC;
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Licensed GSK Foreground
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has the meaning set forth in Section
6.13;
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Licensed Product
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means any pharmaceutical product
comprising or containing a Compound arising from a Collaboration Program whether or not as the sole active ingredient and in any dosage form or formulation. Licensed Product
excludes any pharmaceutical product in which the relevant Compound
when administered to any patient or individual is comprised
within or attached to (including via transfection) any cell;
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Losses
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means losses, damages, legal costs and other expenses arising out of or relating to a Claim;
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Milestone Fee
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means the amounts set out in Schedule 2 in relation to each milestone;
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Net Sales
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means, with respect to each Licensed Product, the amount for all sales reported (either publicly, or internally if public reporting is not applicable) by GSK, its Affiliates or their sublicensees in each of
their respective accounts on a calendar quarterly basis and in each case based on the
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accounting rules applicable to production of such accounts (“Accounting Rules”). Such sales figures shall be the gross
amount billed by GSK, GSK’s Affiliates or its sublicensees or where not billed, received by GSK, GSK’s Affiliates or its sublicensees in relation to any
Licensed Product less gross to net deductions typically and consistently applied to such receipts by either GSK, GSK’s Affiliates or its sublicensees in accordance with the applicable Accounting Rules and in each case which are actually incurred, allowed, paid, accrued or specifically allocated. An illustration of the gross to net deductions applied by GSK as at the Effective Date is set out in Schedule 10. As at the Effective Date, the applicable Accounting Rules are IFRS but the Net Sales definition will be amended as appropriate to reflect changes to GSK’s, its Affiliates or Sublicensees accounting rules (for example, change from IFRS to UK GAAP) brought about by merger, take-over or law;
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Nominated HLA
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2;
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Nominated Target
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has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.1;
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Nomination Date
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means the date of receipt by GSK of the acceptance in writing by Immunocore of the Nomination Notice;
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Nomination Notice
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has the meaning given in Section 5.3.2;
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Non-validated Target
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.8;
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Option Notice
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has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3;
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Party
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means either GSK or Immunocore as the context requires and “Parties” shall be construed accordingly;
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Patent Liaisons
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has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12;
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Phase 1 Data Package
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[***] of each Phase 1 Trial conducted by Immunocore in connection with the Initial Programs to allow GSK to determine whether it will exercise any Initial Program Option;
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Phase 1 Trial
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means a clinical trial of a pharmaceutical product on human subjects or patients designed with the primary purpose of determining safety, metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties and clinical pharmacology of such product as and to
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the extent defined for the United States in 21 C.F.R. § 312.21(a), or its successor regulation, or
the equivalent regulation in any other country, including the Phase 1 part of any Clinical Trial that is a combination Phase 1 Trial and Phase 2 Trial;
provided, that multiple cohorts in a single Phase 1 Trial, such as multiple dose-escalation cohorts, shall constitute a single Phase 1 Trial;
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Phase 2 Trial
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means a clinical trial of a pharmaceutical product on human patients designed to determine a
variety of doses, dose response, and duration of effect, and to generate initial evidence of clinical safety and activity in a target patient population, as and to the extent defined for the United States in 21 C.F.R.
§ 312.21(b), or
its successor regulation, or the equivalent regulation in any other country, excluding the Phase 1 part
of any clinical trial that is a combination Phase 1 Trial and Phase 2 Trial;
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Phase 3 Trial
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means a clinical trial of a pharmaceutical product on patients designed to (a) establish that a drug is
safe and efficacious for its intended use; (b) define warnings, precautions and adverse reactions that are associated with the drug in the dosage range
to be prescribed; and (c) support a Regulatory Approval of such drug, as and to the extent defined for the United States in 21 C.F.R. § 312.21 (c), or its successor regulation, or the equivalent regulation in any other country;
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Pivotal Trial
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means (a) any Phase 3 Trial,
or (b) a Phase 2 Trial; or (c) any Clinical Trial, the results of which are determined by a
Regulatory Authority to enable grant of Regulatory Approval or in relation to which a Regulatory
Authority has found that the results may be sufficient to support an application for Regulatory Approval;
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Platform Rights
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means any Intellectual Property Rights owned or Controlled by Immunocore arising outside of this Agreement (including Third Party Platform Rights) but excluding Immunocore Background. For clarity, Platform Rights do not include Foreground;
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Project Phase
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means a phase of a Collaboration Program set forth in the applicable Research Plan agreed between the Parties from time to time during the term of this Agreement;
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Project Phase 1
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means the first phase of any Collaboration Program to identify one or more Compounds to the Target that meet the Lead Candidate Criteria;
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Project Phase 2
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means Project Phase 2A and Project Phase 2B of any Collaboration Program in which any Compounds developed or identified during Project Phase 1 are further developed with a goal of meeting the Development Candidate Criteria;
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Project Phase 2A
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means the first part of Project Phase 2 in which any Compound from Project Phase 1 undergoes [***];
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Project Phase 2B
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means the second part of Project Phase 2 in which [***];
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Prosecuting Party
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has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.5;
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Regulatory Approval
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means regulatory approval (including pricing
or [***] to the extent the applicable regulatory authorities in such country require a pricing or reimbursement approval prior to commercialization of a product in such country) required to market a Licensed Product for an Indication in accordance with the Applicable Laws and regulations
of a given country, or similar approvals in other foreign jurisdictions. In the United
States, Regulatory Approval means approval of a New Drug Application (“NDA”), Biologics License Application (“BLA”) or an
equivalent by the FDA, and in the European Union, Regulatory Approval means approval of a Marketing Authorization
Application (“MAA”) or an equivalent by the EMA. [***];
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Regulatory Authority
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means the FDA in the U.S. or any health regulatory authority in another country in the Territory that is a counterpart to the FDA and holds responsibility for granting Regulatory Approval for a product in such country, including the EMA, and any successor(s) thereto;
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Replacement Target
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.4;
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Research Plan
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has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1;
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Results
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means any data, know-how, output, mutations, sequences, products, modifications, developments, assays, compounds, materials, documentation or other results arising directly from the
performance of a Collaboration Program
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by either Party, its Affiliates or their subcontractors;
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Royalty
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means the royalty set out in Section 9.1;
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Royalty Report
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has the meaning given in Section 9.8;
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Royalty Term
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has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2;
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Subcommittee
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has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9;
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Target
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means the protein or biological molecule from which an
HLA-presented antigen is derived;
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Target Program
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has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1;
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TCR
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means a T-cell receptor in any form;
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Terminated Products
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has the meaning set forth
in Section 13.6.7;
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Terminated Projects
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has the meaning set forth in Section 13.6;
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Territory
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means worldwide;
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Third Party
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means any entity or
individual which is not a Party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of GSK;
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Third Party Infringement Claim
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has the meaning set forth
in Section 7.7.1;
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Third Party Platform Rights
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means any patents or patent applications Controlled by Immunocore and arising under an agreement between Immunocore and a Third Party, which agreement is for the development or research
of Compounds;
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Valid Claim
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means a claim of any issued and unexpired patent or patent application within the Immunocore Foreground, Immunocore Background or Platform Rights, to the extent that such claim in
any patent or patent application has not lapsed, been withdrawn or been disclaimed, denied or admitted to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction in a
non-appealable judgment or otherwise rendered invalid or unenforceable through reissue, disclaimer or otherwise through re-examination, opposition, post-grant review or inter partes review, or lost through interference proceeding, or been cancelled or abandoned or dedicated to the public;
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VAT
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means value added tax as provided for in the Value Added Tax Act 1994 together with legislation supplemental thereto or other tax or a similar nature in substitution for it;
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Year
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means a period of 12 calendar
months.
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1.2 |
In this Agreement:
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1.2.1 |
references to Sections and Articles are to the Sections
and Articles of this Agreement;
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1.2.2 |
headings are used for convenience only and do not affect its interpretation;
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1.2.3 |
(a) the word “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation” or like expression; (b) the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;
and (c) masculine, feminine and neuter pronouns and expressions shall be interchangeable; and
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1.2.4 |
references to a statutory provision include references to the statutory provision as modified or re-enacted or both from time to time and to any subordinate
legislation made under the statutory provision.
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2. |
General Background
- Collaboration Programs
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2.1 |
The Parties shall collaborate on a series of Collaboration Programs in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with a research plan established by the JSC, as amended
from time to time (each, a “Research Plan”). The Research Plan agreed to by the Parties prior to the Effective Date governing the first Initial Target Program is set forth in Schedule 1; provided, that such Research Plan shall be updated by the JSC within [***] of the
establishment of the JSC to include additional details of specific activities and timelines required to achieve the Lead Candidate Criteria and Development Candidate Criteria. Thereafter, the Research Plan for the first Initial Target Program shall be further updated when reasonable, to include detailed Clinical Trial design and other
matters that cannot reasonably be addressed as of the Effective Date or the [***] period referred to
above. It is anticipated that Immunocore will be primarily responsible for the conduct of the Research
Plans as provided further in this Agreement.
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2.2 |
In general, each Research Plan for each Collaboration Program shall include equivalent details to those agreed in the Research Plan for the first Initial Target
Program set forth in Schedule 1, [***]. The Research Plan for each Collaboration Program shall be developed and agreed in accordance with Section 5.3.7, and once agreed and finally approved by the JSC, the Research Plan for each Collaboration Program shall form a schedule
to this Agreement; provided, that with respect to the Initial Programs, each such Research Plan shall be updated by the JSC to include detailed
Clinical Trial design and other matters that cannot reasonably be addressed at the time the initial Research Plan is agreed.
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3. |
Performance and Funding of Collaboration Programs
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3.1 |
Immunocore shall commence work under the Research Plan for the first Collaboration Program upon completion by the JSC of the updated Research Plan as set forth in Section 2.1. All other Collaboration Programs shall commence promptly after agreement of the Research Plan, in
accordance with and subject to Section 5.3.7.
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3.2 |
Immunocore (or its subcontractors) shall be responsible for conducting the activities set forth in each Research Plan, in accordance with the terms of such Research Plan, using Commercially Reasonable Efforts and in accordance with all Applicable Laws. In addition, Immunocore (or its subcontractors) shall perform the Collaboration Program in good scientific manner, and in
accordance with the
policies set forth in the attached Schedule 5 (to the
extent such policies are applicable to the activities being conducted) and, to the extent applicable, all other requirements of GLP, GCP and GMP. All activities that are required to be performed to GLP, GCP or
GMP shall be performed by [***]. [***] Commercially
Reasonable Efforts to ensure the following: (i) data are being generated
using sound scientific techniques and processes; (ii) data are being accurately
and reasonably contemporaneously recorded in accordance with good scientific practices by personnel conducting research or development hereunder; (iii) data are being analyzed appropriately without bias in accordance with good scientific practices; and (iv) data and results are being stored securely and can be easily
retrieved. Notwithstanding Immunocore’s responsibility to carry out the activities set forth in the Research Plans, GSK (or its subcontractors or Affiliates) may conduct certain activities as set forth in the applicable Research Plan [***]; provided that GSK will comply (and ensure its subcontractors or Affiliates comply) with Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 with respect to such conduct.
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3.3 |
Subject to the requirements set forth above in Section 3.2, including
the obligation to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts, Immunocore shall perform (or ensure that its subcontractors perform) the
Collaboration Program using personnel which are suitably qualified and experienced to perform the
activities set out in the Collaboration Program. Immunocore shall (i) within a reasonable period of
time after agreement of the Research Plan [***].
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3.4 |
Each Party shall provide cooperation and information as reasonably necessary to assist the other Party in performing the Collaboration Program. A Party shall not be responsible
for any delay or suspension of any Collaboration Program where such delay or suspension is caused by any failure of the other Party to provide any information, assistance or cooperation.
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3.5 |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, at any time during the conduct of Project Phase 1 of such Collaboration Program through the [***] period following Completion of Project Phase 1 of such
Collaboration Program, Immunocore shall either (i) make a recommendation to the JSC that a Compound satisfies the applicable Lead Candidate Criteria, or (ii) advise the JSC that no Compound satisfies the applicable Lead Candidate Criteria, but that additional research is likely to result in a Lead Candidate; or (iii) advise the JSC that no Compound satisfies the applicable Lead Candidate Criteria and that in Immunocore’s reasonable discretion, it is not technically feasible to develop a Lead Candidate under the applicable Collaboration Program.
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3.5.1 |
Within [***] after recommendation by Immunocore of the potential Lead Candidate
in accordance with Section 3.5(i), the JSC will decide on the nomination of one or more Lead Candidate(s) to progress to Project Phase 2. Upon the JSC’s determination that at least one Compound satisfies the applicable Lead Candidate Criteria, such Compound shall be deemed a Lead Candidate and shall be progressed into Project Phase 2A development. If the JSC does not select any of the proposed Lead Candidates with in [***] of submission by Immunocore, then the JSC may specify within a further [***] what additional research activities, if any, that were not included in the applicable Research Plan are required to enable at least one (1) Compound to achieve the Lead Candidate Criteria (“Lead Additional Work”). Promptly thereafter,
the Parties will amend
the applicable Research Plan to reflect any such Lead Additional
Work and Immunocore shall conduct such Lead Additional Work. If no Lead Additional Work is agreed or no Lead Candidate is nominated by the JSC within [***] after Completion of such Lead Additional Work, then GSK shall terminate the Collaboration
Program and Section 13.6 shall apply.
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3.5.2 |
Within [***] after
advising the JSC that no Compound satisfies the Lead Candidate Criteria in accordance with Section 3.5(ii) or 3.5(iii), then the JSC shall either (i) specify within a further [***] what Lead Additional Work, if any, is required to enable at least one (1) Compound to achieve the Lead Candidate Criteria, or (ii) decide
to terminate the
applicable Collaboration Program. In the event that Section 3.5.2(i)
occurs, the Parties will amend the applicable Research Plan to reflect any such Lead Additional Work and
Immunocore shall conduct such Lead Additional Work. If no Lead Candidate is nominated by the JSC within [***] after Completion of the Lead Additional Work, then
the Collaboration Program shall terminate and thereafter, or in the event Section 3.5.2(ii) occurs, Section
13.6 shall apply.
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3.6 |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, at any time during the conduct of Project Phase 2 of such Collaboration Program through the [***] period following Completion of Project Phase 2 of such Collaboration
Program, Immunocore shall either (i) make a recommend at ion to the JSC that a Lead Candidate satisfies the applicable Development Candidate Criteria, or (ii)
advise the JSC that no Lead Candidate satisfies the applicable
Development Candidate Criteria, but that in Immunocore’s reasonable discretion, additional research is likely to result in a Development Candidate; or (iii) advise the JSC that no Lead Candidate satisfies
the applicable Development Candidate Criteria and that in Immunocore’s reasonable discretion, there is no additional research that will result in a Development Candidate because it is not technically feasible to develop a Development Candidate under the applicable Collaboration Program.
|
3.6.1 |
Within [***] after recommendation by Immunocore of the potential Development Candidate in accordance with Section 3.6(i), the JSC will decide on the nomination of one or more Development Candidate(s). Upon the JSC’s determination that at least one Lead Candidate satisfies the applicable Development Candidate Criteria, such Lead Candidate shall be deemed a Development Candidate and if the Collaboration Program
is an Initial Program, it shall be progressed into further pre-clinical development and/or Clinical Trial development, and if the Collaboration Program is not an Initial Program, then the provisions of Section 6.2 shall apply. If the JSC does not select any of the proposed Development Candidates within [***] of submission by Immunocore, then the JSC may specify within a further [***] what additional research activities, if any, that were not included in the applicable Research Plan are required to enable at least one (1) Lead Candidate to achieve the Development Candidate Criteria (the “Development Additional Work”).
Promptly thereafter, the Parties will amend the applicable Research Plan to reflect any such Development Additional Work and Immunocore shall conduct such Development Additional Work. If no Development Additional Work is agreed or no Development Candidate is nominated by the JSC after Completion of such Development Additional Work, then GSK shall terminate the Collaboration
Program and Section 13.6 shall apply.
|
3.6.2 |
Within [***] after advising the JSC that no Lead Can did ate satisfies the Development Candid ate Criteria in accordance with Section 3.6(ii) or 3.6(iii), then the JSC may either (i) specify within a further [***] what
Development Additional Work is required to enable at least one (1) Lead
Candidate to achieve the Development Candidate Criteria, or (ii)
decide to terminate the applicable Collaboration Program. In the event that Section 3.6.2(i) occurs, the Parties will amend the applicable Research Plan to reflect any such Development Additional Work
and Immunocore shall conduct such Development Additional Work. If no Development Candidate is nominated by the JSC after Completion of the Development Additional Work, then the Collaboration Program shall terminate and thereafter, or in the event Section 3.6.2(ii) occurs, if the Collaboration Program is an
Initial Target Program, Sections 8.3 and 13.6 shall apply and in all other circumstances, Section and 13.6 shall apply.
|
3.7 |
In relation to any
Lead Additional Work or Development Additional Work agreed by the JSC under Sections 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.6.1 or 3.6.2, any additional time and effort
incurred [***] of such Collaboration Program, together with the Lead Additional Work or Development Additional Work, as applicable, [***].
|
3.8 |
Immunocore’s FTE rate as at the Effective Date is [***] per Year.
|
3.9 |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, GSK shall have the right to engage Affiliates and both Parties shall have the right to engage Third Party subcontractors to perform certain of its obligations under the
Collaboration Programs, and such Affiliates or subcontractors shall be assigned the applicable obligation as set forth in the agreed Research Plans; [***]. Any Affiliate or subcontractor to be engaged by a Party to perform a Party‘s obligations under a Collaboration Program shall meet the qualifications typically required by such Party for the performance of work similar in scope and complexity to the subcontracted activity and shall agree in writing to comply with the applicable terms of
this Agreement (including confidentiality terms); provided, that
any Party engaging an Affiliate or subcontractor hereunder
will remain responsible
for the actions and omissions of any subcontractor to whom it delegates its
obligations under this Agreement including to the extent
such actions or omissions result in a breach of the terms of this Agreement. In addition, any Party engaging a subcontractor shall in all cases retain or obtain ownership of any and
all Intellectual Property Rights arising as a result of performance of any sub-contracted activity under the Research
Plan and any sub-contract agreement shall state that such sub-contractor has no rights
to use any Intellectual Property Rights owned or Controlled by the other Party save as strictly necessary for performance of the sub-contracted activities. Any sub-contractor shall not be entitled to further sub-contract its obligations under this Agreement.
|
3.10 |
Except as provided in Section 3.7, Immunocore shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in performing any Collaboration Program. If either Party believes a Research Plan for any of the Initial Programs should be amended with respect
to the applicable Phase
1 Trial in a manner that is reasonably expected to cause [***]. If the JSC approves such amendment to the Phase 1 Trial, then [***]. [***] or liable under this Agreement for any delay to a Collaboration Program or
delay to the development of any Licensed Product to the extent caused by a failure of the JSC or GSK to agree to amend the applicable Research Plan as described
in the foregoing sentence.
|
4. |
Governance; Collaboration Program Management
|
4.1 |
Within [***] of the Effective Date, the Parties will establish a joint steering
committee (the “JSC”). The JSC shall be responsible for overseeing the conduct of all Collaboration
Programs, and approving the detailed requirements and deliverables for any Collaboration Program as developed by the JPT. The JSC shall have oversight and decision-making responsibilities for activities performed for each
Collaboration Program and shall resolve disputes at the JPT. The JPT shall keep the JSC informed of the
progress and activities under each Collaboration Program. The JSC shall be comprised of [***] representatives (or such other number of representatives as the Parties may
agree) from each of GSK and Immunocore. Each Party may replace any or all of its representatives on the JSC at any time upon written notice to the other Party in accordance with Section 16.1 or by e-mail to the other Party’s Alliance
Manager. Each representative of a Party shall have sufficient seniority and appropriate expertise in biotechnology and pharmaceutical drug discovery and development to participate on the JSC. Each Party may, subject to the other Party’s prior approval, invite non-member representatives of such Party to attend meetings of the JSC as non-voting participants, subject to the confidentiality obligations of Article 10. The Alliance Managers shall also participate as non-voting members in JSC meetings.
|
4.2 |
In addition to the responsibilities set forth in Section 4.1, the JSC shall perform the following functions, subject to the final decision-making authority of the respective Parties as set forth in Section
4.5:
|
4.2.1 |
review and approve a Research Plan for each Collaboration Program in accordance with the timelines set forth in Article 5;
|
4.2.2 |
review and approve any changes required to the Research Plan for any Collaboration Program in accordance with Section
4.7;
|
4.2.3 |
review and monitor progress of each Collaboration Program with input from the JPT;
|
4.2.4 |
confirm whether the Lead Candidate Criteria have been
achieved by a Compound;
|
4.2.5 |
review and approve changes to the Lead Candidate Criteria for each Collaboration Program;
|
4.2.6 |
confirm whether the
Development Candid ate Criteria have been met by a Compound;
|
4.2.7 |
review and approve changes to the Development
Candidate Criteria for each Collaboration Program;
|
4.2.8 |
review and discuss data arising from the Phase I Trials conducted under the Initial Programs;
|
4.2.9 |
generally serve as a forum for exchange of information and to facilitate discussions regarding the conduct of the Collaboration Programs hereunder;
|
4.2.10 |
resolve disputes referred from the JPT;
|
4.2.11 |
review and determine the requirement for any additional
documentation under Section 6.11 below;
|
4.2.12 |
review and determine the amount of initial training and technical assistance required from Immunocore to GSK under Section 6.11 together with the time for provision of such initial training
and technical assistance; and
|
4.2.13 |
such other responsibilities as may be assigned to the JSC pursuant to this Agreement or as may be mutually agreed by the Parties from time to time.
|
4.3 |
Save as provided under Section 4.7, the JSC shall meet quarterly
and chairing of the meetings shall be alternated between each Party’s designated representative, unless otherwise agreed. The meetings shall be held at the
premises of the Party chairing the meeting unless otherwise agreed. The Parties may also agree to hold such meeting by telephone or video conference or webinar although at least [***] in any Year shall be in person to the extent possible.
The first meeting shall be chaired by [***] and shall be held within [***] of the Effective Date. The Alliance Manager for the Party chairing each meeting shall be responsible for [***] to comment on and add items to the agenda and re-circulate the agenda at least [***] ahead of the agreed date of the meeting. The Parties shall each be responsible for their own costs and expenses incurred in participating and attending
JSC meetings. Copies of data and proposals to be discussed shall be circulated by each Party at least [***] prior to each JSC meeting where reasonably possible.
|
4.4 |
The Alliance Manager from the Party that is not the chairing Party shall be responsible for preparing and
circulating minutes, within [***] of each meeting of the JSC,
setting forth, inter alia, an overview of the discussions at the meeting and a list of any actions and decisions approved by the JSC and a
list of any issues to be resolved by the Executive Officers pursuant to Section 4.5. Such minutes shall be effective only after approved by both Parties in writing. With the sole exception of specific items of the meeting minutes to which the members cannot agree
and that are escalated to the Executive Officers as provided
in Section 4.5, definitive minutes of all JSC meetings shall be finalized no later than [***] after the meeting to which
the minutes pertain. If, at any time during the preparation and finalization of the JSC minutes, the Parties do not agree on any issue with respect to the minutes, such issue shall be resolved by the escalation process set forth in Section 4.5. The decision resulting from the escalation process shall be recorded by the Alliance Manager in amended finalized minutes for such meeting.
|
4.5 |
Decisions of the
JSC shall be made on a unanimous basis with each Party having one vote on the JSC. In the event of any inability to reach a decision at a JSC meeting, the
[***] (the “Executive Officers”). Where resolution is still not possible
within [***] of referral to the Executive Officers, GSK shall have the final decision-making authority
save that GSK shall not be entitled to resolve any dispute
in a way which would (a) require amendment of this Agreement; or (b) materially increase or change the scope of work, cost
or expenses of Immunocore under any agreed Research Plan for any Collaboration Program or result in a material delay to the Collaboration Program; or
(c) result in Immunocore losing any ownership interest in any Foreground; or (d) place patients at excessive risk or which might be reasonably considered to place patient health and safety at risk in a Clinical Trial conducted by Immunocore in accordance with a
Research Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, a “material delay” shall mean an additional period of time added to any Program Phase of at [***] of the timelines set forth in the Research Plan. By way of example, if Project Phase 1 is scheduled to take [***] for Completion, then a material delay in that case shall be a suspension of work under Project Phase 1 for a period of [***]. Solely in the case
where Immunocore reasonably believes GSK’s final decision will have one or more of the consequences set forth in (a) - (d) above, Immunocore may refer the matter to the dispute resolution process set forth in Article 15.
|
4.6 |
Joint Project Team. As soon as possible after the Effective Date, the Parties shall establish a joint project team (the “JPT”) which shall be
initially responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Initial Target Program. The JPT shall also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of all other Collaboration Programs when they become effective; provided, that if multiple
JPTs are needed due to different Targets or disease areas, then the Parties may establish separate JPTs for
different Collaboration Programs. The JPT shall be comprised of representatives from each of GSK and Immunocore with the appropriate scientific
expertise with respect to the conduct of the Research Plans (and such representatives may vary depending on the relevant
Project Phase) and shall meet on a [***] basis (or more or less frequently as agreed by the Parties) at Immunocore’s facilities or via teleconference at such times as may be agreed by the Parties during the Research Term. The JPT will report to the JSC and will be responsible for the day-to-day management
of the conduct of the Research Plans including overseeing the conduct of experiments and reviewing data resulting from such experiments as set forth in the Research Plans, proposing amendments to the Research Plans, proposing new Research Plans
to the JSC for new Collaboration Programs for JSC approval, discussing potential Lead Candidates and Development Candidates
for proposal to the JSC. All decisions of the JPT on matters for
which it has responsibility shall be made unanimously. In the event
that the JPT is unable to reach a unanimous decision within [***] after it has met and attempted to reach such decision, then either Party may, by written notice to the other,
have such issue submitted to the JSC for resolution in accordance
with Section 4.5. Each Party will bear all expenses it
incurs in regard to participating in all meetings of the JPT,
including all travel and living expenses.
|
4.7 |
Where any Party wants to amend the serv ices or tasks allocated under any Research Plan it shall notify the JSC of such desire to amend. The notification shall include details of the changes being requested and the impact such changes will have on the remainder of the Research Plan including any impact on timescales. Unless the request needs to be determined ahead of the next JSC meeting, any amendment to the Research Plan will be discussed at the next JSC meeting and the request for change will be added to the agenda for the next meeting. Where a request needs to be determined more quickly, the JSC may call a special meeting to resolve the matter ahead of the next scheduled JSC meeting. The chair of
such special meeting shall be the same chair as for the next JSC meeting. Minutes of the special meeting will be circulated and prepared in accordance with Section 4.4.
|
4.8 |
The JSC shall not have any authority to amend the terms of this Agreement or to add Collaboration Programs in excess of the [***] Collaboration Programs permitted under this Agreement. The foregoing provisions of this Article 4 notwithstanding, neither Party shall have the right to exercise its final
decision-making authority to unilaterally: (a) determine that it has fulfilled any obligations under this Agreement or that the other Party has breached any obligation under this Agreement; (b) make a decision that is expressly stated to require the mutual agreement of the Parties; or (c) otherwise expand its rights or reduce its obligations under this Agreement.
|
4.9 |
From time to time, the JSC may establish subcommittees to oversee particular projects or activities, as it deems necessary or advisable (each, a “Subcommittee”). Each
Subcommittee shall consist of such number of members as the JSC determines is appropriate from time to time. Such members shall be
individuals with expertise and responsibilities in the relevant areas over which such Subcommittee shall have oversight and/or decision-making authority.
|
4.10 |
The JSC shall automatically cease to exist on completion of all Collaboration Programs. The JSC’s involvement in relation to any particular Collaboration Program shall cease on the earlier of
termination of such Collaboration Program in accordance with Article 13 or Completion of such Collaboration Program.
|
4.11 |
Promptly after the Effective Date, each Party shall appoint an individual to act as alliance manager
for such Party (each, an “Alliance Manager”). Each
Alliance Manager shall thereafter be permitted to attend meetings
of the JSC as a non-voting observer, subject to the confidentiality provisions of Article 10. The Alliance Managers shall be the primary point of contact for the Parties regarding the collaboration activities contemplated by this Agreement or other reporting obligations under this Agreement and shall facilitate all such activities hereunder.
The Alliance Managers shall also be responsible for assisting the JSC in performing its oversight responsibilities with respect to the activities of the JPT, as well as by preparing and finalizing the minutes from meetings of the JSC. The name and contact information for such
Alliance Managers, as well as any replacement(s) chosen by Immunocore or GSK, in their sole discretion,
from time to time, shall be promptly provided to the other Party
in accordance with Section 16.1 of this Agreement.
|
4.12 |
Within [***] after the Effective Date, the Parties shall each
designate representative(s) to consult with the other Party’s representative(s) with respect to patent prosecution, defense and enforcement
matters (the “Patent Liaisons”) as more fully described in this Section 4.1 2. The Patent Liaisons shall discuss, at such times, places and frequencies as either Patent Liaison determines is necessary, material issues and provide input to each other regarding the prosecution,
maintenance, enforcement or defense of Platform Rights (to the extent Immunocore has such rights with respect to Third Party Platform Rights), Immunocore Background, Immunocore Foreground, Joint Foreground and the Licensed GSK Foreground and in each case in accordance with the rights granted under Article 7. The Patent
Liaisons shall be responsible for coordinating the implementation of each Party’s strategies for the protection of the foregoing Intellectual Property Rights in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. All final decisions related to the prosecution,
|
5. |
Collaboration Programs - Research Plans; Target Nomination
|
5.1 |
Target Programs. GSK has the right to nominate up to four (4) Targets (each, a “Nominated Target”) to be the subject of Collaboration Programs as set forth below (each Collaboration Program directed to a Nominated Target, being a “Target Program”).
Each such Target Program shall relate to a different
Nominated Target. The Nominated Target and its HLA allele for the first Target Program are specified in
Schedule 1 to this Agreement (the “Initial Target”). GSK has the right to nominate the second Nominated Target no later than [***] after the Effective Date of the Agreement, and thereafter shall have the right to
nominate the third and fourth Nominated Targets no later than the [***] of the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The first two (2) Target Programs are referred to herein as the “Initial Target Programs.”
|
5.2 |
HLA Programs. Each Target Program under Section 5.1 above shall be specific to a designated HLA allele. GSK also has the right to nominate up to [***] HLA alleles (each, a “Nominated HLA”) to be the subject of further Collaboration Programs as set
forth in this Section 5.2 (each Collaboration Program direct ed to a Nominated HLA, an “HLA Program”). Each Nominated HLA shall be associated with a Nominated
Target; provided, that GSK may nominate any number of Nominated HLAs related to a specific Nominated Target at GSK’s discretion subject to the overall maximum of [***]. GSK may exercise its right to nominate a Nominated HLA associated
with a Nominated Target at any time beginning on the date of commencement of the applicable Target Program for such Nominated Target and expiring on the [***] anniversary of Completion of the Phase I Trial conducted with respect to the Compound
arising from such Target Program, whether such Phase 1 Trial is conducted by Immunocore or GSK. The first [***] HLA Programs are referred to herein as the “Initial HLA Programs.”
|
5.3 |
Nomination Process.
|
5.3.1 |
The Dataroom shall be available to GSK for a period of [***] from the Effective Date, except as may be extended as provided
in this Agreement (the “Dataroom Period”). The same information as provided in the
Dataroom shall also be available to all partners, licensees and potential licensees of Immunocore. Immunocore warrants that, as of the Effective Date the same information has been, and for the Dataroom Period will be, provided to GSK in the Dataroom in relation to Targets as has been or will be provided
to other potential licensees and partners of Immunocore (each an “Entity”) who have been granted access or will be granted access to the Dataroom as of the Effective Date or during the Dataroom Period (excluding any information relating to Targets which have
been exclusively licensed to any 5.3.4). Immunocore may add further Targets to the Dataroom in its absolute discretion.
|
5.3.2 |
Except for the Initial Target, GSK shall nominate a Target or HLA by providing notice in writing in the form set out in Schedule 8 to Immunocore (the “Nomination Notice”). The Nomination Notice shall specify either (a) the Target being nominated together with the HLA allele to which any Compound direct ed at the Target should first be developed; or (b) the new HLA allele to which any Compound should be directed for a Nominated Target that is the subject of a pre-existing Target Program. Immunocore shall have [***] from receipt of
Nomination Notice to accept or reject the Nomination Notice by signing and returning a completed
Nomination Notice to GSK; provided that a Nomination Notice may only be rejected in accordance with Section 5.3.4 below and shall be accepted by Immunocore under all other circumstances. The Nomination Date for the
|
5.3.3 |
Upon the Nomination Date, Immunocore shall immediately remove the Nominated Target from the Dataroom, and thereafter, Immunocore shall not (a) work on or further develop any Compound to the Nominated Target, including any HLA alleles associated with such
Nominated Target except as provided in this Agreement; (b) license or collaborate with any Third Party in relation to the development of any Compound to the Nominated Target; or (c) otherwise make available such Nominated Target to any Third Party for development of a Compound to such Nominated Target. Immunocore warrants that all information regarding the Initial Target has been
removed from the Dataroom on or before the Effective Date, and the Parties agree that the foregoing sentence applies to the Initial Target as of the Effective Date.
|
5.3.4 |
Immunocore may remove Targets from the Dataroom in its sole discretion at any time prior to receipt of a Nomination Notice, and may reject a Nomination Notice [***] Nomination Notice rejected by Immunocore in accordance with this Section 5.3.4 shall be deemed an “Invalid Target”. Immunocore shall not be liable for any claim by GSK arising out of removal of a Target from the Dataroom by Immunocore prior to receipt of a Nomination Notice. Any Nomination Notice received in
relation to an Invalid Target shall be deemed rejected and Immunocore shall remove the Invalid Target from the Database if not previously removed. GSK shall have the
right to nominate a replacement Target (each, a “Replacement Target”) in lieu of the Invalid Target in the same manner as described in Section 5.3.2 until the later of either the [***] anniversary
of the Effective Date or [***] from GSK’s receipt of notice that a Nominated Target is an Invalid Target. For clarity, GSK may continue to nominate Replacement Targets under the terms of this Agreement when and if previously nominated Replacement Targets are deemed Invalid Targets and subject to the maximum of four (4) Target Programs under Section 5.1.
|
5.3.5 |
With respect to any Invalid Target, Immunocore agrees not
to (a) work on or further develop any Compound to the Invalid Target, including any of its HLA alleles associated with such Invalid Target; or (b) licence or collaborate with any Third Party in relation to
the development of any Compound to the Invalid Target, including any HLA alleles associated with such Invalid Target, in each case, for a period commencing on the date that the Nomination Notice specifying such Invalid Target was deemed invalid (or as
relevant the date a Target is removed from the Dataroom),
and ending on the latest to occur of either (i) [***] from such date; or (ii) the [***] anniversary of the Effective Date, in each case subject to Section
5.3.6 below.
|
5.3.6 |
Where any Invalid Target, with respect to which Immunocore rejected a Nomination Notice from GSK, subsequently becomes available for licence [***].
|
5.3.7 |
Where any Nominated Target is accepted by Immunocore, the JSC shall have [***] (or such other reasonable period as may be necessary) after the Nomination Date to develop and approve the Research Plan for the applicable Target Program or HLA Program, and promptly thereafter Immunocore shall commence the
work set forth in the Research Plan; provided, that Immunocore shall
have no obligation to commence work under an agreed
Research Plan until the earlier of (a) the expiry of a
period of [***] after commencement of work under a Research Plan for the most
recently agreed and active Collaboration Program; or (b) the date on which [***] to commence work under the applicable Research Plan. For clarity, with respect to the Initial Programs, each such Research Plan shall be updated by the JSC to include detailed Clinical Trial design and other matters that cannot reasonably be addressed at the time the initial Research Plan is agreed.
|
5.3.8 |
At any time commencing
on the Effective Date
and ending [***] from the Effective Date, and as long as GSK has at least one (1) target nomination available, GSK may notify Immunocore in writing up to [***] during such period,
that it wishes to evaluate a Target other than those set out in the Dataroom (“Non-validated Target”). The
notification from GSK shall include the following [***] shall be discussed at the next meeting of the JSC (or as otherwise provided by the JSC). If the JSC determines that further investigation of a Non-validated
Target is required in order to determine its technical feasibility as a tractable Target, [***]
Immunocore of [***] in which GSK is interested. The JSC shall agree [***], but as of the Effective
Date, it is anticipated that Immunocore shall require
[***]. Immunocore shall then as soon as reasonably possible and
in any event only once it has resources available (as determined by Immunocore in its sole discretion), attempt to identify [***] from the
Non-validated [***]. The validation work shall not extend beyond validation work typically carried out by Immunocore for Targets within the Dataroom. Immunocore shall report to the JSC on the progress of
the validation work and on completion shall notify the JSC either that (a) in its view, the validation work suggests that it would be possible or technically feasible to identify a Compound to the Non-validated Target; or (b) in its view, the validation work does not suggest that it would be possible
or technically feasible to identify a Compound to the Non-validated Target. Following completion of the
validation work and notification to the JSC as to the technical feasibility of identifying the Compound to the Non-validated Target, GSK shall be entitled to nominate the Non-validated Target in accordance with Section 5.3.2 and such Non-validated Target shall be thereafter treated in the
same way as any Nominated Target from the Dataroom.
|
5.3.9 |
Should GSK wish to assess any additional Non-validated
Targets other than in accordance with Section 5.3.8, then the
Parties shall discuss the assessment of such Non-validated Targets. Where the Parties agree to proceed with such assessment, the Parties will negotiate in
good faith the terms
which would apply to such assessment including responsibilities of each Party and time, cost and resource allocations required of each Party.
|
5.4 |
Research Licence. Commencing on each Nomination Date
for each Collaboration Program, and solely to the extent that it is agreed in any Collaboration Program that GSK should conduct work under the applicable Research Plan, Immunocore shall grant and hereby grants to GSK a non-exclusive licence in the Territory under the Immunocore Background, Immunocore Foreground, Joint Foreground and Platform Rights to the extent necessary for GSK’s performance of the Collaboration Program. The
licence under this Section 5.4 shall expire on the earlier of
(a) the date on which Immunocore rejects a Nomination
Notice in accordance with
Section 5.3.2; or (b) an exclusive licence being granted following exercise of the Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option, as
applicable; or (c) expiration of the applicable Initial
Program Option Period or
|
6. |
Options; Licences
|
6.1 |
On an Initial Program-by-Initial Program basis, Immunocore shall grant and hereby grants to GSK, an exclusive option to obtain the exclusive licences on the terms set out in Section 6.7 (each, an “Initial Program Option”). With respect to the first Initial Target Program
described on Schedule 1, the Initial Program Option shall commence on the Effective Date
[***]. With respect to the additional Initial Programs, the Initial Program Option shall commence on the Nomination Date, and each Initial Program Option shall expire on an Initial
Program-by-Initial Program basis on the earlier of either (i) the date that is [***]
following receipt by GSK of the applicable Phase 1 Data Package; or (ii) termination of the applicable Collaboration Program in accordance with Sections 3.5.1, 3.5.2,
3.6.1 and 3.6.2, including if such termination occurs after Completion of any Lead Additional Work or Development Additional Work without nomination of a Lead Candidate or Development Candidate, respectively (the “Initial Program Option Period”).
|
6.2 |
With respect to all Collaboration Programs other than as provided in Section 6.1, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Immunocore shall grant and hereby grants to GSK, an exclusive option to obtain the exclusive licenses on the terms set out in Section 6.8 (each, a “Collaboration Program Option”). Each such [***] Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis on the earlier of either (i) the date that is [***] following determination by the JSC that at least one Lead Candidate from
such Collaboration Program satisfies the applicable Development Candidate Criteria and is deemed a Development Candidate; or (ii) termination of the applicable Collaboration Program in accordance with
Sections 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.6.1 and 3.6.2,
including if such termination occurs after Completion of any Lead Additional Work or Development Additional Work without nomination of a Lead Candidate or Development
Candidate, respectively (the “Collaboration Program Option Period”).
|
6.3 |
GSK may exercise an Initial Program Option or
Collaboration Program Option at any time during the Initial Program Option Period or Collaboration Program Option Period, respectively, by provision of written notice to
Immunocore specifying the Initial Program or Collaboration Program in relation to which the Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option is being exercised (“Option Notice”). On receipt of the Option Notice by Immunocore, Immunocore shall grant, and hereby grants, to GSK
the exclusive licence on the terms set out in Section 6.7 with
respect to such Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option.
|
6.4 |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis and
Target-by-Target basis and during the Initial Program Option Period or Collaboration Program Option Period, as applicable, Immunocore shall not (a) independently or with, or on behalf of, a Third Party, conduct any research, development or commercialisation activities on any Licensed Product; or (b) licence any Third Party under
its rights in the Immunocore Foreground, Immunocore Background, Joint Foreground or Platform Rights to manufacture,
use, sell or supply any Licensed Product. There shall be no breach of this [***] (ii) Immunocore licenses its Intellectual Property Rights to a Third Party in relation to the development of Compounds or TCRs to Targets
other than the Nominated Target; or (iii) Immunocore licenses its Intellectual Property Rights to a Third Party to enable such Third Party to carry out specific research projects intended to improve or enhance the Immunocore Background and which are not specific to any Target. For clarity any research or development licence agreement with a Third
Party under Section 6.4(iii) shall not include any licence under
Immunocore Background, Platform Rights or Immunocore Foreground to manufacture, sell, supply, use, import or commercialise any Licensed Product.
|
6.5 |
For the avoidance of any doubt and save as explicitly otherwise provided in Section 6.7, no licence is granted under this Agreement
(including under any exercise of an Initial Program Option, Collaboration Program Option or the
licenses granted under Section 6.7) to GSK under Immunocore Background, Immunocore Foreground or Platform Rights in relation to any product that contains cells that are transfected with genes encoding TCRs or modified TCRs including any product containing cells that may also be transfected with one
or more additional other molecules (whether or not transfected
at the same time or by the same means as the genes encoding TCRs or modified TCRs).
|
6.6 |
During the term of this Agreement, Immunocore shall inform GSK where it reasonably [***] within the timescales agreed in the relevant Research Plan
that were to be conducted in the next [***]. Such determination shall [***]. In particular, Immunocore’s Alliance Manager shall report to the JSC at
each JSC meeting as to whether, [***]. Following disclosure of such concerns, GSK may request a meeting [***]. Any meeting
[***] shall be held promptly and Immunocore will answer any reasonable questions raised in such meeting. Nothing
in this Section 6.6 shall be construed to require Immunocore to breach any regulatory requirements or rules of any relevant stock exchange on which Immunocore may at any time be
listed.
|
6.7 |
Licence Terms.
|
6.7.1 |
Commencing upon GSK’s exercise of an Initial Program
Option as described in Section 6.1 or a Collaboration Program Option as described in Section 6.2, Immunocore shall grant and hereby grants to GSK the following licenses:
|
(a) |
an exclusive license under Immunocore rights in the
Immunocore Foreground and Joint Foreground to make, have made, import, use, offer for sale, and sell Licensed Products arising from the applicable
Collaboration Program in the Field in the Territory. Each such license shall continue for the applicable Royalty
Term, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Article 13;
|
(b) |
an exclusive license under the Immunocore Background and
Platform Rights, in each case, solely to the extent it is necessary for GSK to make, have made, import, use, offer for sale, and sell Licensed Products arising from the applicable Collaboration Program in the Field in the Territory. Each such license shall continue until the earlier to
occur of (i) the date on which such license is no longer necessary for GSK to make, have made, import, use, offer for sale, and sell such Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory; (ii) the expiration of the applicable Royalty Term; or (iii) termination of the applicable license or the Agreement in its entirety pursuant to Article 13;
|
6.7.2 |
Each licence granted in accordance with Section 6.7 is separate and independent from any other exclusive licence granted in accordance with this Agreement.
|
6.8 |
The licences under Section 6.7 include the right to sub-licence with the prior written consent of Immunocore, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, except, that consent shall not be
required as follows:
|
6.8.1 |
GSK may use contract research organizations to perform portions of the development of the Licensed Products to the extent consistent with its normal business practices and in all cases consistent with
Section 3.8 above;
|
6.8.2 |
GSK may engage reasonably qualified third parties to assist with the distribution and sales of the Licensed Products to the extent such arrangements are commercially reasonable throughout the Territory
and in all cases consistent with Section 3.8 above;
|
6.8.3 |
GSK may use Third Parties, including contract manufacturers, to manufacture, label and package the Licensed Products provided such use is in all cases consistent with Section 3.8 above;
|
6.8.4 |
GSK may sub-license any of its rights to Affiliates.
|
6.9 |
GSK will include binding provisions in all sub-licenses granted in accordance with Section 6.8 providing that if the sublicensee or any of sublicensees’ Affiliates undertakes a
Patent Challenge with respect to any patent or patent application to which the sublicensee is granted a license, GSK will be permitted, subject to Applicable Laws, to terminate such sublicense agreement. If a sublicensee of GSK or
any Affiliate of such sublicensee undertakes a Patent
Challenge of any such patent or patent application, then upon receipt
of notice from Immunocore of such Patent Challenge, GSK will either cause the sublicensee to cease involvement in such Patent Challenge within [***] of receipt
of notice, terminate the applicable sublicense agreement within [***] of receipt of notice if permitted by Applicable Laws, or Section 13.8 shall apply with respect to such patent or patent application on expiry of
[***] from receipt of notice.
|
6.10 |
Post-Option Exercise Responsibilities.
|
6.10.1 |
Following commencement of each licence as provided in Section 6.7, GSK shall use all Commercially
Reasonable Efforts to further develop, manufacture, sell and supply Licensed Products within the
Territory with a view to obtaining Regulatory Approval for at least one Licensed Product from each Collaboration Program as soon as reasonably possible. GSK shall comply with all Applicable Laws
including requirements of GMP and GCP in relation to any manufacture, development, sale or supply of Licensed Products. GSK shall be solely responsible for all activities relating to the
manufacture, development, sale and supply of Licensed Products and shall have sole and final decision-making authority with respect thereto.
|
6.10.2 |
GSK will submit reports to Immunocore on a [***], commencing [***] after GSK exercises the first Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option, as applicable, to update Immunocore, in reasonable detail, on the current progress and status of the conduct of material development activities with respect to the Licensed Products. All such reports will be considered Confidential Information of GSK. Nothing in this Section 6.10.2
will obligate GSK to disclose confidential information to Immunocore regarding a proprietary compound or product of GSK or a Third Party. Immunocore may ask clarification questions following receipt of reports and GSK (via its Alliance Manager or otherwise) will
provide answers within reasonable timescales to such clarification questions.
|
6.11 |
Within a period of [***] after GSK exercises an Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program
Option, Immunocore shall transfer and deliver (or provide access) to GSK all ResuIts arising out of such Collaboration Program to the extent GSK does not already have access to such Results and to the extent such Results are in a
tangible form, together with all materials set forth on Schedule 7 in a manner that allows for the orderly transition of Licensed Products to GSK. Immunocore shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to transfer the Results and
materials on Schedule 7 in a format that is compliant with Applicable Laws; provided,
that if such format is not compliant with Applicable Laws, then GSK shall inform Immunocore of such insufficiency and Immunocore shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to correct such
insufficiency reasonably promptly thereafter. The details of any additional materials or documentation that may be reasonably required
by GSK to further develop, manufacture, register or sell Licensed Products, shall be determined by the JSC including as relevant the
timing of provision of any such additional documentation. The JSC shall also
determine the amount of reasonable technical assistance and training initially required from Immunocore to GSK’s personnel with respect to Results and the materials set forth
in Schedule 7 to enable GSK to comply with its diligence obligations under Section 6.10.1. Such initial assistance and training shall be provided as and when reasonably required
and determined by the JSC and in any event subject to Immunocore having available resources to provide such technical assistance and training. Thereafter, GSK may request up to [***] meetings per year (which may be held by teleconference or video conference) and [***] with [***] documentation supporting the amount [***].
|
6.12 |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, commencing on the date such Collaboration Program commences and expiring upon the earlier of termination of the Collaboration
Program, Completion of the Collaboration Program, or termination of this Agreement, GSK hereby grants to Immunocore a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in the Territory, with the right to grant sublicenses (subject to Section 3.7), under (a) GSK Background that GSK
determines in its sole discretion is necessary for the conduct
of the Collaboration Program, and (b) GSK Foreground and GSK’s interest in the Joint Foreground, in each case of (a) and (b) solely to permit
Immunocore to conduct its activities with respect to such Collaboration Program as contemplated under the applicable Research Plans in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement.
|
6.13 |
In addition to the licence under Section 6.12, GSK hereby
grants to Immunocore a non-exclusive, worldwide, fully paid-up license under its rights in (i) GSK’s interest in Joint Foreground and (ii) the GSK Foreground,
solely to the extent such GSK Foreground or Joint Foreground [***] (the GSK Foreground included in this license grant is referred to as “Licensed GSK Foreground”). Such license shall be freely sublicenseable through multiple tiers by Immunocore without the need to [***] Agreement”); [***] (i) the date on which such license is no longer necessary for Immunocore or its Third Party sublicensees to make, have made, import, use, offer for sale,
and sell Compounds other than Licensed Products; or
(ii) in the case of Third Party sublicensees, the
date of termination of the applicable sublicense or agreement granting such sublicense to such Third Party.
|
6.14 |
Where Immunocore becomes aware of any Licensed GSK Foreground which is [***] legal department and only accessed by such legal department or external legal advisors. As soon as reasonably possible after the date on which
Immunocore [***] to Immunocore within a period of [***] stating whether it [***] has agreed to keep the notification confidential and that such
notification will be held by the Third Party’s legal department and only accessed by such legal
department or external legal advisors.
|
7. |
Intellectual Property Ownership and Prosecution
|
7.1 |
Immunocore shall retain
all of its right, title and interest in and to the Immunocore Background and Platform Rights, and GSK shall retain all of its rights, title and interest in and to the GSK Background, except to the
extent that any such rights are expressly licensed by one Party to the other Party under this Agreement. Immunocore’s Patent Liaison shall promptly disclose to GSK’s
|
7.2 |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or under Applicable Laws, and subject to the rights and licenses granted under Sections
6.7, 6.12 and 6.13, the Parties hereby agree that each Party will be entitled to practice and sublicense Joint Foreground without restriction or
consent of the other or an obligation to account to the
other Party, and each Party hereby waives any right it may
have under the laws of any jurisdiction to require any such consent or accounting.
|
7.3 |
Prosecution.
|
7.3.1 |
Background; Platform Rights. Immunocore will retain control of filing, prosecution and maintenance of all Immunocore Background and Platform Rights (to the extent it has such control in the case of Third Party Platform Rights) at Immunocore’s sole cost during the Term. To
the extent in each case that any Immunocore Background or Platform Rights (excluding Third Party Platform Rights) Covers
any Licensed Product or
Nominated Target or Nominated HLA, Immunocore shall promptly provide GSK via the Patent Liaisons with copies of all material communications from any patent authority regarding the Immunocore Background and Platform Rights (excluding in relation to Third Party Platform Rights), and drafts of any material filings or responses in relation to
any Immunocore Background or Platform Rights (excluding Third
Party Platform Rights) to be made to such patent
authorities, where reasonably possible at least [***] in advance of submitting such filings or responses to allow GSK the opportunity to review and [***] such prosecution.
|
7.3.2 |
Foreground. Prior to exercise of an Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option, Immunocore shall file, maintain and prosecute any patent applications
and patents comprising Immunocore Foreground or Joint Foreground arising from such Collaboration Program, at its sole cost. Immunocore shall promptly provide GSK via the Patent Liaisons with copies of all draft patent applications, material communications from any patent authority regarding Immunocore Foreground and Joint Foreground, and drafts of any
material filings or responses to be made to such patent authorities where reasonably possible at least [***] in advance of submitting such filings or responses to allow GSK the opportunity to review
and [***] prosecution of Immunocore Foreground and Joint
Foreground. Unless otherwise agreed by the Patent Liaisons, Immunocore Foreground and Joint Foreground shall initially be filed, at a minimum, as an international
application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty designating all available countries. Thereafter on national phase entry and where the relevant Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option has expired without exercise, Immunocore shall have sole discretion as to any final decision on which countries any national patent applications [***] shall discuss with GSK and agree with GSK what patent
application filing [***].
|
7.3.3 |
Following exercise of an Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option, GSK shall assume responsibility for and have the first right to file,
maintain and prosecute any patent applications and patents comprising the Immunocore Foreground or Joint Foreground arising from the Collaboration Program in relation to which such Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option was exercised and in each case that Covers the Licensed Product or any part of the Licensed Product or any use of
or
|
7.3.4 |
GSK shall have the first right to file, maintain and prosecute any patent applications and patents comprising the GSK Foreground. GSK shall promptly provide Immunocore via the Patent Liaisons
with copies of all draft patent applications, material communications from any patent authority
regarding Licensed GSK Foreground, and drafts of any material filings or responses to be made to such patent authorities where reasonably possible at least [***] in
advance of submitting such filings or responses to allow [***] provided by Immunocore in connection with the prosecution of Licensed GSK Foreground.
|
7.3.5 |
Prior to permitting any patent application or patent relating to any Immunocore Foreground, Licensed GSK Foreground or Joint Foreground to lapse, the Party that is first responsible for prosecution under this Section 7.3 (the “Prosecuting Party”) will provide [***] written notice to the non-Prosecuting Party (“Lapse Notice”).
The non-Prosecuting Party shall be entitled to take over the filing, maintenance and prosecution of such notified patent or patent
application on providing written notice to the Prosecuting
Party within a period of [***] from receipt of Lapse Notice, at
the non-Prosecuting Party’s sole discretion; for the avoidance of doubt,
the cooperation and review provisions of Section 7.3.2 or 7.3.3 will no longer apply to the filing,
maintenance and prosecution of the applicable patents and patent applications. Where such notice is provided, the Prosecuting Party shall provide all reasonable assistance as soon as possible following
receipt of notice from the non-Prosecuting Party to transition the filing, maintenance and prosecution of such notified patent or patent application to the non-Prosecuting Party. If GSK delivers a Lapse Notice to Immunocore with respect to Immunocore Foreground, then, on the date of receipt of notice from [***] non-Prosecuting Party indicates it does not wish to take over the filing, maintenance or prosecution of any notified patent or patent application or fails to respond within a period of [***] from receipt of Lapse Notice, the Prosecuting Party shall be entitled to permit the patent or patent application to lapse. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing right to assume responsibility for filing, maintenance and prosecution of any notified patent or patent application in a Lapse Notice includes the right for GSK to assume
responsibility for filing, maintenance and prosecution of Immunocore Foreground and Joint Foreground prior to GSK’s exercise the applicable Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option.
|
7.3.6 |
Each Party agrees to reasonably cooperate with the other Party, via the Patent Liaisons, to execute all lawful papers and instruments, including obtaining and executing necessary powers of attorney and
assignments by the named inventors, to make all rightful oaths and declarations, and to provide consultation and assistance as may be reasonably necessary in the filing, prosecution, and maintenance
of all Immunocore Foreground, GSK Foreground, and Joint Foreground
undertaken in a manner consistent with this Section 7.3.
|
7.4 |
Enforcement.
|
7.4.1 |
If either Party learns of (a) any infringement or threatened infringement, or misappropriation or threatened misappropriation, of any Foreground, Immunocore Background, or Plat form Rights by a Third Party in the Territory, (b) (b) any
claim made by any Third Party that any patent or patent application comprising the Foreground, Immunocore Background or
Platform Rights is invalid or should be revoked, or (c) the submission by any Third Party of an application to the FDA, whether or not in accordance with the BPC&I Act, for approval
of a Biosimilar Product (a “Biosimilar Application”), then that Party shall promptly notify the other Party via the Patent Liaisons and provide it with all details
of such activities (each, an “Infringement”) of which it is aware (each, an “Infringement Notice”). The Patent Liaisons shall discuss such Infringement and
appropriate steps to be taken with regard to such Infringement, subject to the provisions set forth in this Section 7.4 below. The Party responsible for bringing an Action (as defined below) against such
Infringement shall keep the other Party informed of the progress thereof via the Patent Liaisons.
|
7.4.2 |
GSK shall have the first right, but not the obligation, to address Infringement with respect to Foreground in relation to which it is the Prosecuting
Party, and Immunocore Background or Platform Rights (only including Third Party Platform Rights to the extent that Immunocore is able to enforce such rights and grant such right of enforcement to GSK in
accordance with this Section 7.4.2) solely in the event that patents contained within such Immunocore Background or Platform Rights [***]. GSK shall address such Infringement by taking reasonable steps, which may include the exchange of patent listing information
and negotiations regarding such patent lists with a Third Party filing a Biosimilar Application as required by the
BPC&I Act, institution of legal proceedings, or other actions (an “Action”), and to compromise or sett le such Action; provided, that: (i) GSK shall keep
Immunocore fully informed about such Action; (ii) GSK shall not take any position with respect to such Action in any way that is reasonably likely to directly and adversely affect the scope, validity or
enforceability of the Foreground, Immunocore Background or Platform Rights or
compromise or settle any such Action, without the prior consent of Immunocore, which consent shall not be un reasonably withheld; and (iii) if GSK does not intend to prosecute or defend an Action, or ceases to diligently pursue such an Action, it shall promptly inform Immunocore in such a manner that such Action will not be prejudiced and Section 7.4.4 shall apply solely in the event that the Infringement is related to a Licensed Product.
|
7.4.3 |
Immunocore (or as relevant any Third Party having control over Third Party Platform Rights) shall have the first right, but
not the obligation, to prosecute an Action to address Infringement with respect to any
Foregound for which it is the Prosecuting Party, Immunocore Background and
Platform Rights (subject to GSK’s rights in Section 7.4.2)
and: (i) Immunocore shall keep GSK fully informed about such Action; (ii) Immunocore shall not take any position with respect to such Act
ion in any way that is reasonably likely to directly and adversely affect the validity or enforceability of the Immunocore Background or Platform Rights (excluding Third Party Platform Rights) that Cover Licensed Products, or compromise or sett le any
such Action as it relates to Immunocore Background or Plat form Rights (excluding
Third Party Platform Rights) that Cover Licensed Products, without the prior consent of GSK, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and (iii) if Immunocore does not intend to prosecute or defend an Action, or ceases to diligently pursue such an Action, to the extent not
in conflict with any Third Party agreement, it shall promptly inform GSK in such a manner that such
Action will not be prejudiced and Section 7.4.4 shall apply.
|
7.4.4 |
In the event of an Infringement, if (i) the Party with
the first right to prosecute an Act ion (the “Enforcing Party”) informs the non-Enforcing Party that it does not intend to prosecute a particular Action, (ii) within [***] after
notice of Infringement the Enforcing Party has not commenced any such Action, or (iii) if the Enforcing Party thereafter
ceases diligently to pursue such Action, then the non-Enforcing Party shall have the right, at its own expense, upon notice to the Enforcing Party to take appropriate action to address such Infringement, including by initiating its own
Act ion or taking over prosecution of any Action initiated
by the Enforcing Party. In such event, the non-Enforcing
Party shall keep the Enforcing Party fully informed about such Act ion. The non-Enforcing Party shall
not take any position with respect to such Action in any way that is reasonably likely to directly and adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of the Intellectual
Property Rights that are the subject of such Action, or compromise
or settle such Action, without the Enforcing
Party’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The non-Enforcing Party’s right to enforcement as described
in this Section 7.4.4 with respect to an Infringement described in Section 7.4.1(c) is applicable solely to the extent permitted by Applicable Law. In the event that the Enforcing Party has informed the non-Enforcing Party that it is not proceeding with an Action on the advice of competent counsel, and the non-Enforcing Party opts to proceed with such Action, then the non-Enforcing Party will, at the Enforcing Party’s request, execute an agreement confirming that the decision to sue was made despite the Enforcing Party’s objection and the non-Enforcing Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Enforcing Party and its Affiliates for all Losses arising
out of Claims suffered by the Enforcing Party as a result of
such suit. This Section 7.4.4 shall not apply to (a)
any Third Party Platform Rights or Platform Rights where Immunocore has in place any agreement with a Third Party
which would conflict or which would not perm it transfer of an Action in accordance with this Section 7.4.4 or (b) GSK Foreground.
|
7.4.5 |
Any recovery obtained by GSK in connection with or as a result of an Action, [***] the relevant court proceedings or enforcement has been finally decided between GSK and
the relevant third Party. Any recovery obtained by Immunocore in connection with or as a result of an Action, whether by [***] apportionment shall only occur once the
relevant court proceedings or enforcement has been finally decided between Immunocore and the relevant Third Party.
|
7.5 |
The Party responsible for any Action under Sections 7.4.2 and 7.4.3 shall also be entitled to defend any counterclaim proceedings for invalidity or
revocation of the relevant patent in any Action. The other Party shall be entitled to its own legal representation in relation to such Action and
any counterclaim and the Party responsible for the Act ion shall where possible take into account reasonable comments or requests made by the other Party in relation to the
defence of any counterclaim for invalidity or revocation.
|
7.6 |
The Parties shall cooperate and provide all reasonable assistance, subject to
the payment of all reasonable expenses and costs, to each other
with respect to any Action described in Section 7.4 above. Upon the reasonable request of the Party instituting such Action, the other Party shall join such Action and shall be represented using counsel
of its own choice, at the requesting Party’s expense; provided, that if GSK or Immunocore has informed the other Party that it would not
proceed with such Action on the opinion of competent counsel, as provided in Sections 7.4.2 and 7.4.3, the
other Party may not require GSK or Immunocore to join such Action unless legally required to do so. The provision of assistance under this Section 7.6 shall include reasonable assistance as may be
required by either Party to determine which patent applications or patents should be used in any Action or should be submitted to a Third Party that files a Biosimilar Application as required by the BPC&I Act. Once any patent
application or patent has been identified
|
7.7 |
Defense of Infringement Claims.
|
7.7.1 |
Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party in writing of any allegation by a Third Party in
the Territory that the making, having made, using, selling or offering for sale or importing of any Licensed Product, or the conduct of any activities under this
Agreement infringe or misappropriate or may infringe or misappropriate the Intellectual Property Rights of such Third Party (a “Third Party Infringement Claim”). The Patent Liaisons shall discuss which Party shall defend the Third Party Infringement Claim, and absent mutual agreement otherwise, each Party shall have the right to control the defense of any such Third Party Infringement Claim brought against it in the Territory, by counsel of its own choice. If a Third Party Infringement Claim is brought against one Party (the “Defending Party”) but not the other Party, the non-Defending Party shall have the right, at its own expense, to be represented in such Third Party Infringement Claim by counsel of its own choice, at its own expense.
|
7.7.2 |
The Patent Liaison for the Defending Party shall keep
the Patent Liaison for the other Party reasonably informed
of all material developments in connection with any Third Party Infringement Claim. Each Defending
Party agrees to provide the other Party ‘s Patent Liaison with copies of all pleadings filed in any suit or proceeding
relating to such Third Party Infringement Claim. The Defending Party may enter into a settlement or
compromise of any Third Party Infringement Claim; provided, that if such settlement or compromise would admit liability on the part of the non-Defending Party
or any of its Affiliates or would otherwise have a material adverse effect on the rights or interests of the
non-Defending Party or its Affiliates, the Defending Party shall not enter into such settlement or compromise without the prior written consent of the non-Defending Party. In the event a proposed settlement involves obtaining a license under Third Party Intellectual Property Rights, the provisions of Section 9.6 shall apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as between the Parties, solely to the extent permitted under Section 7.4 and 7.5 above, the Parties shall have the right to
determine whether to assert any counterclaim under any patent applications or patents comprising Joint Foreground or Immunocore Foreground and to control any such counterclaim, and to control
the defence of any matters involving the validity or enforceability of any such patent applications or patents, including the right to make substantive and procedural decisions relating to any such
counterclaim or defence and settle, compromise or dispose of any such counterclaim or defence.
|
7.8 |
GSK will retain control and all decision-making regarding filing, prosecution and maintenance of all GSK Background and GSK Foreground, at GSK’s sole cost during the Term. GSK shall have sole discretion in relation to any Action against an Infringement of GSK Background or GSK Foreground by a Third Party.
|
7.9 |
Nothing in this Agreement shall assign any Immunocore Background or Platform Rights to GSK. Nothing in this Agreement shall assign any GSK Background or GSK Foreground to Immunocore.
|
7.10 |
CREATE Act. It is the intention of the Parties that this Agreement is a “joint research agreement” as that phrase is defined in Public Law 108-53 (the “Create Act”). In the event that either Party to this Agreement intends to overcome a reject ion of a claimed
invention within the Immunocore Background (to the extent relevant
to any Collaboration Program or Licensed Product), the Foreground, Plat form
Rights (to the extent relevant to any Collaboration Program or Licensed Product) and/or Joint
Foreground pursuant to the provisions of the Create Act, such Party shall first obtain the prior written consent of the other Party and the Parties shall work together in good faith to agree how any rejection should be overcome. To
the extent that the Parties agree that, in order to overcome a rejection of a claimed invention within the Immunocore
Background (to the extent relevant to any Collaboration Program or Licensed Product), the Foreground, Platform Rights (to the extent relevant to any Collaboration Program or Licensed Product) and/ or Joint Foreground pursuant to the
provisions of the Create Act, the filing of a terminal disclaimer is required or advisable, the Parties shall first agree on terms and conditions under which the patent application subject to such terminal
disclaimer and the patent or application over which such application is disclaimed shall be jointly enforced, to the extent that the Parties have not previously agreed to such terms and conditions. To the extent that this Section applies to Immunocore Background or Platform Rights, any obligation under this Section will be subject to any Third Party agreements entered into with Immunocore prior to the Effective Date or after the Effective Date relating to the prosecution or maintenance of such
Immunocore Background or Plat form Rights and any co-operation
or consultation by Immunocore under this Section shall be subject to
such Third Party agreements.
|
8. |
Consideration
|
8.1 |
In partial consideration for the rights granted to GSK
under this Agreement, GSK shall pay to Immunocore a non-refundable,
non-creditable upfront payment of £4,000,000.00 (four million pounds sterling). Such payment shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds in
accordance with wire transfer instructions of Immunocore provided
in writing to GSK on or prior to the Effective Date. Such payment shall be made within [***] after GSK’s receipt of an invoice from Immunocore provided on or after the Effective Date, which invoice shall be sent in accordance with the instructions on Schedule 6.
|
8.2 |
GSK shall pay to Immunocore a non-refundable, non-creditable Initiation Fee in the amounts and on the terms provided in Schedule 2. Each
Initiation Fee shall be due within [***] after GSK’s receipt of an invoice from Immunocore, which will be provided
on or after the applicable Nomination Date. Immunocore shall have
no obligation to start any work on a Collaboration Program until it has received the relevant Initiation Fee.
|
8.3 |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule 2 and this Section 8.3, GSK shall pay to Immunocore the Milestone Fees. Such Milestone Fees shall be payable by GSK whether the relevant milestone is achieved by GSK, GSK’s Affiliates or GSK’s or its Affiliates’ sublicensees. GSK shall procure it has adequate reporting obligations in place between Affiliates and sublicensees to ensure compliance with this Section 8.3.
A Party achieving a milestone as set forth in Schedule 2 shall notify the other Party in writing promptly, but in no event later than [***] after each achievement of each milestone that triggers a
payment. Each Milestone Fee payable for an achieved
Milestone as set forth in Schedule 2 will be due within [***] from
the date of receipt of an invoice from Immunocore, which invoice shall be provided on or after the date that GSK notifies Immunocore, in writing, of such achievement or Immunocore otherwise becomes aware of such achievement and such achievement is not
disputed by GSK. If an Initial Target Program is terminated in accordance with Section 3.6.2(ii), then the level of Milestone Fees pay able in relation to the first Target
Program and first Initial HLA Program that commenced or will commence subsequent to the terminated Initial Target Program shall be adjusted in accordance with
Schedule
|
8.4 |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule 2 and
this Section 8.4, GSK shall pay to Immunocore the Sales Milestone Fees (as defined in Schedule 2). Such Sales Milestone Fees shall be payable by GSK based on the aggregate Net Sales made by GSK, GSK’s Affiliates or GSK’s or its Affiliates’ sublicensees and GSK shall procure that it has reporting obligations in place
bet ween Affiliates and sublicensees (including
Affiliates’ sublicensees) to ensure compliance with this Section 8.4. Each Sales Milestone Fee payable for an achieved Sales Milestone as set forth in Schedule 2 will be due within [***] days from the date of
receipt of an invoice from Immunocore, which invoice shall be provided on or after the date that GSK notifies Immunocore, in writing, of such achievement or Immunocore otherwise becomes aware of such achievement and such achievement is
not in dispute by GSK.
|
8.5 |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Article 9, GSK shall pay to Immunocore the Royalty on Net Sales of Licensed Products.
|
8.6 |
Any tax paid or required to be withheld by GSK for the benefit of Immunocore on account of any Royalty or other payments payable to Immunocore under this Agreement shall be deducted from the amount of Royalty or other payments otherwise due. GSK shall secure and send to Immunocore
proof of any such taxes withheld and paid by GSK for the benefit
of Immunocore, and shall, at Immunocore’s request, provide reasonable and prompt assistance to Immunocore in recovering
such taxes.
|
8.7 |
If any payment due by GSK to Immunocore pursuant to this Agreement is overdue then [***] pro-rated for the number of days from the date upon which payment of such sum became due until payment thereof in full
together with such interest; provided, that in no event shall such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate. The payment of such interest shall not limit Immunocore from exercising any
other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment. Where the late payment is caused by Immunocore, including for reasons such as
failure to communicate in a timely manner changes to bank details, or failure to respond to communications from GSK regarding the interpretation or dispute of the terms of such payment, then no interest will be payable by GSK.
|
8.8 |
All payments to be made by GSK to Immunocore under this Agreement shall be paid by bank wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the wire transfer instructions set forth on Schedule 6. Immunocore shall issue any invoices under this Agreement in accordance with the instructions set out in Schedule 6.
|
9. |
Notification and Royalty Payments
|
9.1 |
As further consideration for the rights granted to GSK under
this Agreement, GSK shall pay Immunocore the Royalty set forth below on a calendar quarterly basis during the Royalty Term, and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Article 9:
|
Cumulative Annual Net Sales
|
Amount of Royalty
payable (% of Net
Sales)
|
||
On annual aggregate Net Sales up to and
including [***]
|
[***]
|
On annual aggregate Net Sales > [***] up to and
including [***]
|
[***]
|
||
On annual aggregate Net Sales > [***] up to and
including [***] |
[***]
|
||
On annual aggregate Net Sales > [***] up to and
including [***] |
[***]
|
||
On annual aggregate Net Sales >
[***]
|
[***]
|
Royalties
|
Annual worldwide Net
Sales of [***]
|
Annual worldwide Net
Sales of [***]
|
Annual worldwide Net
Sales of [***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
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[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
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[***]
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[***]
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[***]
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[***]
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[***]
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[***]
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[***]
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9.2 |
Royalty Term.
|
9.2.1 |
Subject to the provisions of this Article 9, GSK’s obligation to pay the Royalty shall be calculated on a country-by-country and Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product basis, in those countries of the Territory in which there is a Valid Claim that, but for the licenses gran ted to GSK, would be infringed [***] Royalty with respect to any Licensed Product shall commence upon the First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in a
country, and shall expire on [***] Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country (the “Royalty Term”). To the extent that any Licensed Product is sold in any country prior to First Commercial Sale, Net Sales from such sales shall be accrued as from the time of sale and Royalties on such Net Sales shall become due in the quarter after First
Commercial Sale.
|
9.2.2 |
If, on a country-by-country and Licensed Product -by-Licensed
Product basis, the only Valid Claim Covering a Licensed Product is a claim of any pending patent application within the Immunocore Foreground,
Immunocore Background or Plat form Rights covering the composition of matter, or the use of a process to manufacture, or method of use of such Licensed Product (a “Pending Claim”, then the following shall
apply with respect to payment of the Royalty on Net Sales of such Licensed Product :
|
(a) |
If GSK is the Party controlling prosecution
of the Pending Claim, then GSK will pay [***] of the applicable Royalty that would otherwise be due under Section 9.1 to Immunocore for so long as there is a Pending Claim [***] Immunocore shall revert to
the full Royalty as set out in Section 9.1 with effect from the date of issue of the Pending Claim until the end of the applicable Royalty Term, subject to any reductions as set forth in Sections 9.3, 9.5 or 9.6, as applicable during such Royalty Term. In addition,
|
(b) |
If Immunocore is the Party controlling prosecution of the
Pending Claim, then the terms of Section 9.2(a) shall apply, except that if the Pending
Claim does not issue during the period of [***] from the filing date of the first PCT patent application that supports such Pending Claim, then GSK shall be
entitled to continue to pay the Royalty at the rate that is [***] of what would otherwise be due under Section 9.1 during the remainder of the Royalty Term, even if such Pending Claim issues after
such [***] period during the Royalty Term, subject to any reductions as set forth in Section 9.5 and 9.6 as applicable during such Royalty Term.
|
9.3 |
On a country-by-country and Licensed Product - by- Licensed Product basis, if, at any time during the Royalty Term, either no Valid Claim exists or all Valid Claims Covering the composition of matter or the use of a process to manufacture or approved method of use have expired, and Immunocore has maintained, at the time of sale of the applicable Licensed Product, Confidential Information as documented in written records that covers the composition of matter, or the use of a process to manufacture or approved method of use of the Licensed Product, then
GSK shall pay Immunocore a Royalty on Net Sales of such Licensed Product at a rate that is [***] of the applicable Royalty rates set forth in Section 9.1.
|
9.4 |
Upon expiration of the applicable Royalty Ter m, the licenses granted to GSK under Section 6.7 shall become fully paid-up,
royalty-free,
perpetual licenses to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale and import the applicable Licensed Product in the Field in the applicable country of the Territory.
|
9.5 |
The Royalty (as adjusted in accordance with Section 9.3) payable in relation to any Licensed Product on a country-by-country basis shall also be reduced by a [***] where any Biosimilar Product is sold in the relevant country and where entry of such Biosimilar Product has reduced GSK’s market share [***] Section 9.5 shall only apply whilst such Biosimilar Product continues to be sold in the [***].
|
9.6 |
GSK shall be entitled to credit against any milestones or Royalty owed by GSK to Immunocore in relation to any Licensed Product, [***] of any and all payments made to Third Parties where
such payments are made to such Third Parties in accordance with a licence to
a patent that covers the Licensed Product (and where such
Licensed Product would be infringing such Third Party right in the absence of such licence) and is owned or Controlled by such Third Party; provided, that the Royalty payable to Immunocore would never be less than [***] of the amount otherwise due in accordance
with Section 9.1, as adjusted by Sections 9.3 and 9.5 in any particular calendar quarter. If the amount to be credited exceeds [***] of the amount otherwise due to Immunocore in any calendar quarter, then GSK shall be entitled to carry forward the excess to offset
against milestones or Royalty paid in relation to the relevant Licensed Product in future calendar
quarters but in each case in compliance with this Section
9.6.
|
9.7 |
With respect to sales of the Licensed Product invoiced
in pounds sterling, the Net Sales and the amounts due hereunder will be expressed in pounds sterling. With respect to sales of the Licensed Product invoiced in a currency
other than pounds sterling, the Net Sales and amounts due hereunder will be reported in pounds sterling, calculated
using the average exchange rates as calculated and utilized by GSK’s group reporting system on a customary basis and published accounts for its own purposes.
As of the Effective Date, the method utilized by GSK’s group
|
9.8 |
Until the expiration of all applicable Royalty Terms, GSK will provide a report to Immunocore within
[***] after each calendar quarter (“Royalty Report”), with the first report due within [***] after the expiry of the calendar quarter in which the First Commercial Sale of any Licensed Product by GSK or its Affiliates or their sublicensees
occurs. The Royalty Report shall include reasonable detail as available including: (i) the total Net Sales for each Licensed Product on a country-by-country basis; and (ii) a calculation of the amount of Royalty due on such
Net Sales for each Licensed Product on a country-by-country basis. Concurrent
with the delivery of each such Royalty Report, GSK shall make the Royalty payment due to Immunocore for the
calendar quarter covered by such Royalty Report.
|
9.9 |
GSK or its Affiliates and their sublicensees shall keep and maintain
for [***] (or such longer period allowed by GSK’s record retention policies, not to exceed [***]) complete and accurate records
of sales of Licensed Products in sufficient detail to allow Immunocore to confirm the accuracy of Royalties and
Sales Milestones (as defined in Schedule 2) paid hereunder. Immunocore shall have the right during such [***] period to appoint an independent auditor reasonably acceptable to GSK to audit the records of GSK and/ or any Affiliates and/ or their sublicensees for the purpose of verifying Royalty Reports provided by GSK. Such audit right shall
not be exercised by Immunocore more than once in any calendar year
and the records for a [***] period may not be audited more than once. GSK shall make its records available for audit by such independent auditor during regular business hours at such place or places where such records are customarily kept, upon [***] written notice from Immunocore. All records made available for audit
shall be deemed to be Confidential Information of GSK. The results of each audit, if
any, shall be binding on both Parties absent manifest error or fraud.
GSK shall use reasonable efforts to require its Affiliates and any sublicensees of Affiliates or GSK that sell the Licensed Products to permit Immunocore’s audit or access to records of such
Affiliates and sublicensees at the same time and place as any audit of GSK records under this Section 9.9. GSK shall pay any underpayment of
Royalty identified by the auditor following an audit under this Section 9.9 within [***] after receipt
of an invoice from Immunocore for such underpaid amount.
|
9.10 |
Immunocore shall bear the costs of an audit performed under Section 9.9, except where the audit report identifies an underpayment of Royalty of more than [***], in which case, all documented and reasonable audit fees shall be paid by GSK.
|
9.11 |
In the event that non-monetary consideration or no ascertainable consideration
is received for any Licensed Product, Net Sales will be calculated based on the average price charged for such Licensed
Product during the preceding royalty period, or in the absence of such sales, the fair market value of the Licensed Product, as determined by the Parties in good faith. Where
the relevant monetary consideration cannot be agreed between the Parties,
either Party shall be entitled to refer the determination to an independent expert located in [***] and appointed by mutual agreement between the Parties or in the absence of any agreement within [***] of written request for
referral, by [***]. The independent expert shall act as an expert and not an arbitrator, and reach a decision as quickly as possible and in any event within [***] of appointment. The expert’s decision shall be final and binding on the
Parties in the absence of any manifest error and the Parties shall share equally in the costs of the expert.
|
9.12 |
In addition to Section 9.11, If a Licensed Product is sold as part of a multi-product sale (whether physically combined or sold or supplied together) whether by GSK, its Affiliates or their
sublicensees, then for purposes of determining payments due hereunder, Net Sales of such Licensed Product shall
be deemed to be an amount equal to the following:
|
9.13
|
Sales of Licensed Product between GSK and its Affiliates or between GSK or its Affiliates and their sublicensees shall be excluded from the computation of Net Sales and no payments shall be payable on such sales except where such Affiliates or sublicensees are end users. Further, sales of Licensed Product by GSK or its Affiliates or their sublicensees that are for compassionate use or on a named patient /
named hospital basis shall be excluded from the computation of Net Sales and no payments shall be payable on such sales provided in each case that such supplies are at cost or for free. Where any sales for compassionate use or on a named patient/ named hospital basis are provided for consideration, such
sales shall be treated as Net Sales and royalties shall be payable to Immunocore on such Net Sales.
|
10. |
Confidentiality
|
10.1 |
Each Party agrees to keep the Confidential Information of the disclosing Party in strict confidence and not to use, or disclose such Confidential Information to any third Party, save as explicitly permitted in this Agreement. The Party owning the Results or the Foreground in Results shall be deemed to be the disclosing Party and the other Party shall be obliged to keep such Results confidential in accordance with this Section 10.1. The foregoing obligations of confidentiality will not apply to the extent
that it can be established by the receiving Party that such Confidential Information:
|
10.1.1 |
was in the lawful knowledge and possession of the receiving Party prior to the time it was disclosed to, or learned by, the receiving Party, or was otherwise developed independently by the receiving Party, as evidenced
by written records kept in the ordinary course of business, or other documentary proof of actual knowledge by
the receiving Party;
|
10.1.2 |
was generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain at the time of its disclosure to the receiving Party;
|
10.1.3 |
became generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain after its disclosure and other than through any act or omission of the receiving Party in breach of this Agreement; or
|
10.1.4 |
was disclosed to the receiving Party, other than under an obligation of confidentiality, by a Third Party who had no obligation to the disclosing Party not to disclose such information to others.
|
10.2 |
The Parties may provide the Confidential Information to such of its officers, employees, representatives and subcontractors
who reasonably require access to it for the purpose of fulfilling
the receiving Party’s obligations
or exercising its rights under this Agreement provided
that before any of the disclosing Party’s Confidential Information
is disclosed to them, they are made aware of its confidential nature and that they are under a legally - binding obligation to the receiving Party to treat that Confidential Information in the strictest confidence
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For clarity, such disclosures may be made in the furtherance of, inter alia, (i) the performance of its obligations or exercise of rights granted or reserved in this Agreement;
(ii) to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in filing or prosecuting patent, copyright and trademark applications, prosecuting or
defending litigation, obtaining Regulatory Approvals, conducting pre-clinical activities or clinical trials, marketing Licensed Products, or otherwise required by Applicable Laws; provided, that if a receiving Party is required by Applicable Law to make any such disclosure of a disclosing Party’s Confidential Information it shall, except where impracticable for necessary disclosures, for example in the event of medical
emergency, give reasonable advance notice to the disclosing
Party of such disclosure requirement and, except to the extent inappropriate in the case of patent applications, shall use its reasonable efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information required to be disclosed.
|
10.3 |
The Parties may disclose the Confidential Information to Affiliates, existing or prospective advisors, shareholders, investors, collaborators, sublicensees, partners or joint venturers, in each case under
appropriate confidentiality provisions substantially [***] Confidential Information to Third Parties in connection with (i) a merger, consolidation or similar
transaction by such Party, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of such Party to which this Agreement relates, or (iii) as required by rules of any stock exchange on which the securities of a Party are traded, in the case of (i) and (ii) under appropriate confidentiality provisions substantially equivalent
to those of this Agreement. In each of the above authorized disclosures, the Receiving Party shall remain responsible for any failure by any person who receives the Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 10.3 to treat such Confidential Information as required under this Article 10.
|
10.4 |
Both Parties shall keep the terms of this Agreement confidential and such terms shall be treated as Confidential Information in accordance with this Article 10, except that Immunocore may issue a public announcement of the execution of this Agreement in the form mutually agreed by the Parties and as set out in Schedule 9. Immunocore may also issue public announcements
of the achievement of each Milestone for each Licensed Product as set out in Schedule 2, with the prior review of GSK. Neither Party will use the other’s name or logo
in any press release
or product advertising, or for any other promotional purpose, without first obtaining the other’s written consent and entering into appropriate trademark or housemark licenses, as appropriate.
Neither Party will, without the prior written consent of the other Party, issue any public announcement or press release relating to this
Agreement or the terms of this Agreement. Each Party shall provide
the other with an advance copy of any such public announcement at least [***] prior to its scheduled release; provided, that
if the Party proposing such public announcement cannot provide the reviewing Party
with [***] notice due to extraordinary circumstances, such Party will use reasonable efforts to provide the reviewing Party with the proposed public statement for
comment at least [***] before release. Nothing in this Section shall prevent any press release or announcement required in accordance with any regulatory requirement or stock exchange requirement.
|
10.5 |
After exercise of the applicable Initial Program Option
or Collaboration Program Option, GSK or its Affiliates shall have the
right to make disclosures pertaining to Licensed Products arising from the applicable Collaboration Program in scientific
journals or other publications, and at scientific conferences in each case subject to prior written notice to Immunocore. Prior written consent from Immunocore will be required where any
disclosure in scientific journals or other publications includes any Confidential Information comprised within
Immunocore Background or Platform Rights and which is not specific to the Licensed Product. GSK will reasonably endeavour to provide Immunocore with no less than [***] to review the contents of any proposed disclosure. Within such [***], Immunocore may request that any such Confidential Information is removed from the proposed disclosure and GSK shall
remove such Confidential
Information prior to any disclosure. Immunocore shall not make disclosures pertaining to Licensed Products or Results
arising from a Collaboration Program unless solely related to the Immunocore Background or Platform Rights in scientific journals or other publications, or
at scientific conferences, without the prior written consent of GSK, which may be withheld in GSK’s discretion. Immunocore shall provide a copy of such proposed disclosure or presentation to GSK no less than [***]
prior to Immunocore’s intended submission for publication. GSK shall
respond in writing promptly and in no event later than [***] after receipt of the proposed material,
with one or more of the following: (a) comments on the proposed material, [***], (b) a specific statement of concern, based upon the need to seek patent protection of GSK’s Confidential Information, or (c) an identification of GSK’s Confidential Information that is contained in the material reviewed. In the event of concern over patent protection,
Immunocore agrees not to submit such publication or to make such presentation that contains such information until GSK is given a reasonable period of time (not to exceed [***]) to seek patent protection for any of its Confidential Information in such publication or presentation which it believes is patentable. With respect to all other non-patentable Confidential Information
of GSK, such Confidential Information shall be deleted from the proposed publication. In the case of conference abstracts
and other rapid scientific communications, the Parties will complete the review process in [***] or less.
|
10.6 |
Immunocore shall have the right to make disclosures pertaining to the Plat form Rights and Immunocore Background; provided that
such disclosure or presentation
shall not contain any Confidential Information of GSK or any information regarding any Licensed Product, whether prior to or after exercise of the applicable Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option.
|
10.7 |
This Agreement supersedes the Confidential Disclosure Agreement
executed by the Parties dated 22 April 2010 (the “CDA”). All information exchanged between the Parties under the CDA shall be deemed Confidential Information of the Party disclosing it under the CDA and shall be subject to the terms of this Article 10.
|
10.8 |
Upon termination of this Agreement, each Party hereto
and its Affiliates shall use Commercially Reasonable Eff orts to return all Confidential Information of the
other Party in its possession to the other Party; provided, that each Party may retain: (i) a single archival copy of the Confidential Information of the other
Party; (ii) any portion of the Confidential Information of the other Party which is contained in senior management briefing documents, laboratory notebooks or other electronic systems, the deletion from which would not be practicable;
in either case, solely for the purpose of determining the extent of disclosure of Confidential Information hereunder,
assuring compliance with the surviving provisions of this Agreement, relevant document retention policies of the Party and Applicable Laws. A Party may also retain Confidential Information where necessary for the performance of any surviving licence or obligation.
|
10.9 |
GSK shall have the right at any time after exercise of an Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option, during and after the Term, to (i) publish the results or summaries of results of all GSK sponsored or supported clinical trials (which after exercise of the applicable Initial Program Option or Collaboration Option shall include any Phase 1 Trial results of Immunocore),
|
11. |
Warranties and Indemnity
|
11.1 |
Immunocore warrants to GSK that as of the Effective Date :
|
11.1.1 |
it has the right to grant the licences in accordance with Section 6.7;
|
11.1.2 |
it has in place contracts with its employees and other personnel
it appoints to perform the Collaboration Program sufficient
to ensure all Foreground is owned in accordance with Article 7 above;
|
11.1.3 |
all of Immunocore’s agreements with the subcontractors set forth on Schedule 10 to the extent agreements already exist under which
subcontractors will be conducting work under the Research Plans provide (i) that Immunocore shall, in all cases, retain or obtain
ownership of any and all Intellectual Property arising as a result of performance of any sub-contracted activity under the Research Plan, (ii) that such sub-contractor has
no rights to use any Intellectual Property Rights owned or Controlled by Immunocore
save as strictly necessary for performance of the sub-contracted activities and (iii) that such sub-contractor shall not be entitled to further sub-contract its obligations as they relate to the conduct of any Collaboration Program under this Agreement.
|
11.1.4 |
It has not received any written notice from any Third Party asserting or alleging that the research, development or manufacturing of Compounds infringes or misappropriates
the intellectual property rights of such Third Party;
|
11.1.5 |
Schedule 3 sets forth a complete and accurate list of the patents comprising the Immunocore Background
relevant to the Targets within the Dataroom as of the
Effective Date;
|
11.1.6 |
Immunocore has provided GSK with a complete and accurate
copy of the Assignment Agreement, Deed and Clarification Agreement, as each such agreement is in effect as of the Effective Date, and Immunocore is not aware of any current material breach of the Assignment Agreement, Deed and Clarification
Agreement that would give Adaptimmune the right to terminate the same;
|
11.1.7 |
Immunocore represents and warrants to GSK that it has not intentionally omitted to furnish GSK with any material information known to Immunocore in response to GSK’s requests for information, at the time of such response, during the due diligence and negotiation process with respect to
this Agreement;
|
11.1.8 |
the information in the Dataroom is accurate in all
material respects; and
|
11.1.9 |
the following patents and patent applications are owned by Immunocore: patents and patent applications derived from [***].
|
11.2 |
GSK warrants to Immunocore that it has in place contracts with its employees and other personnel it appoints to perform the Collaboration Program sufficient to ensure all Foreground is owned in accordance with Article 7 above.
|
11.3 |
Each Party warrants to the other that:
|
11.3.1 |
As of the Effective Date, it is a company or corporation
duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Applicable Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.
|
11.3.2 |
As of the Effective Date, (i) it has the corporate power and authority
and the legal right to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; (ii) it has taken all necessary corporate act ion on its part required to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder; and (iii) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered on behalf of such Party, and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Party that is enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
|
11.3.3 |
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as a warranty, either express or implied,
on the part of either Party
that (i) any Collaboration Program will yield a Licensed Product or otherwise be successful or meet its goals, or (ii) the outcomes of the Collaboration Programs will be commercially exploitable in any respect.
|
11.4 |
In the course of the research or development of the Compounds and Licensed Products, each Party (and in the case of GSK, GSK’s Affiliates) shall not use any employee or consultant who has been debarred by any Regulatory
Authority, or, to such Party ‘s knowledge, is the subject of debarment proceedings by a Regulatory Authority. Each Party shall notify the other Party promptly upon becoming aware that any of its employees or consultants (or employees or consultants of GSK’s Affiliates as relevant) has been debarred or is the subject of debarment proceedings by any Regulatory Authority.
|
11.5 |
Each Party shall comply in all material respects with
all Applicable Laws in the performance of its obligations and exercise of its rights under this Agreement to the extent in each case that such Applicable Laws cover the performance of the relevant obligations or exercise of rights, including the statutes, regulations and written directives of the FDA, the
EMA and any other applicable Regulatory Authority, and the provisions of Section 14, each as may be amended from
time to time.
|
11.6 |
Should Immunocore propose to amend the Amendment Agreement or Deed and Clarification Agreement in a manner that would prevent or restrict the grant of any of the licences under this Agreement to GSK, or provide the right to Adaptimmune
to prosecute any Licensed Patents that it does not have the right to prosecute as of the Effective Date, it will obtain the prior written consent of GSK. Such consent will not be unreasonably withheld and will be provided promptly.
|
11.7 |
the express undertakings and
warranties given by the parties in this agreement are in lieu of all other warranties, conditions, terms, undertakings and obligations whether express or implied by statute, common law, custom, trade usage, course of dealing or in any other
way. all of these are expressly excluded from this agreement to the full extent permitted by law. no warranty is given by immunocore that any use of immunocore background will result in any commercially useful licensed products or licensed products which will successfully treat any specific indication.
|
11.8 |
GSK will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Immunocore and its directors, officers, employees and representatives (the “Immunocore Indemnified Parties”) from and against all Losses arising out of or resulting from Claims based upon:
|
11.8.1 |
any negligence or wilful misconduct by any GSK Indemnified Party or GSK’s sublicensees in connection with GSK’s performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement;
|
11.8.2 |
any non-compliance by any GSK Indemnified Party or GSK’s
sublicensees or their sub-contractors with any Applicable Laws;
|
11.8.3 |
any death or injury or product liability claim resulting from sale or supply of any Licensed Product by GSK or its Affiliates or their sublicensees;
|
11.8.4 |
any death or injury or product liability claim resulting from the conduct of Clinical Trials by any GSK Indemnified Party or GSK’s sublicensees, and the storage, handling, use, manufacture, marketing, commercialization, importation or
sale of any Compounds by GSK, its Affiliates, their subcontractors or their sublicensees; and/or
|
11.8.5 |
GSK proceeding with an Act ion
in accordance with
Section 7.4.4 after Immunocore informs GSK that it is not proceeding with such Action on the advice of competent counsel, and, if GSK requires Immunocore to initiate an Action, such actions taken by Immunocore as directed by GSK;
|
11.9 |
Immunocore shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless GSK and its Affiliates, and its or their respective directors,
officers, employees and representatives (the “GSK Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all Losses arising out of or resulting from any Claims based upon:
|
11.9.1 |
Any negligence or wilful misconduct by any Immunocore Indemnified Party, in connect ion with Immunocore’s
performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement;
|
11.9.2 |
Any non-compliance by any Immunocore Indemnified Party or Immunocore’s sublicensees or subcontractors with any Applicable Laws;
|
11.9.3 |
any death or injury or product liability claim resulting from sale or supply of any Terminated Product by Immunocore or its Affiliates or their sublicensees;
|
11.9.4 |
any death or injury or product liability claim resulting from the conduct of Clinical Trials under any Research Plan by any Immunocore Indemnified Party, and the storage, handling, use, manufacture, marketing, commercialization,
importation or sale of any Licensed Products by Immunocore, its Affiliates, or their subcontractors;
|
11.9.5 |
any breach by Immunocore of the Assignment Agreement, Deed and Clarification Agreement and any claim to Immunocore Background or Foreground arising under this Agreement by Adapt immune that conflict or interfere with the rights and licenses granted
to GSK by Immunocore under this Agreement; and/or
|
11.9.6 |
Immunocore proceeding with an Act ion in accordance with Section 7.4.4 after GSK informs Immunocore that it is not proceeding with such Action on the advice of competent counsel, and, if Immunocore requires GSK to initiate
an Action, such actions taken by GSK as directed by Immunocore;
|
12. |
Limitation of Liability
|
12.1 |
Subject to Section 12.3, neither Party shall be liable under
this Agreement whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise in respect of any indirect or consequential loss
or damage including any loss of prof it, loss of business or loss of goodwill.
|
12.2 |
Subject to Section 12.3, Immunocore’s total aggregate liability for any and all claims under this Agreement or arising in relation to this Agreement whether to GSK or its Affiliates or their sublicensees shall in no event exceed
[***].
|
12.3 |
nothing in this agreement limits or excludes any party’s liability for (a) death or personal injury caused by its negligence; (b) fraud; (c) any indemnity under sections 11.8.3, 11.8.4, 11.9.3 and 11.9.4; (d) gross negligence or wilful misconduct; or (e) any sort of liability that, by law, cannot be limit ed or excluded.
|
12.4 |
Immunocore shall maintain, at its cost, insurance
against liability and other risks associated with its activities and obligations under this Agreement, including the conduct of Clinical Trials and its
indemnification obligations hereunder, in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and on such terms as
are customary for a company such as Immunocore for the activities to be conducted by it under this Agreement. Immunocore shall furnish to GSK evidence of
such insurance upon request.
|
13. |
Term and Termination
|
13.1 |
This Agreement will come into force on the Effective Date and will remain in force until the last financial obligation under this Agreement has been satisfied, unless earlier terminated in accordance
with this Agreement.
|
13.2 |
GSK Right to Terminate. GSK may terminate (a) this Agreement; or (b) any Collaboration Program or (c) any licence granted following exercise of an Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program Option at any
time on provision of [***] written notice to Immunocore. The notice shall specify whether GSK is terminating the Agreement or any Collaboration Program or any licence. Where GSK terminates for convenience under this clause 13.2, GSK will
reimburse Immunocore for any Third Party expenses incurred or committed to by Immunocore as at time of receipt of notice of
|
13.3 |
Termination for Lack of Feasibility. Where either the JSC or GSK decides to terminate a Collaboration Program in accordance with Sections 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.6.1 or 3.6.2, then GSK shall serve [***] written notice to Immunocore terminating the relevant Collaboration Program. Where a
Collaboration Program is terminated under Section 3.5.2(ii) or 3.6.2(ii), in addition to the provisions of Section 13.6 below, the provisions of Section 5.3.5 shall apply.
|
13.4 |
Breach.
|
13.4.1 |
Either Party may (without limiting any other remedy it may have) at any time terminate this Agreement in its entirety or on a Collaboration
Program-by-Collaboration Program or license-b y-license basis with immediate
effect by giving written notice to the other if the other (or in the
case of GSK, its Affiliates) is in material breach of any material provision of
this Agreement and the breach has not been remedied within [***] after receipt of written notice specifying the breach and requiring
its remedy (if such breach is capable of remedy). If such breach is not
susceptible to cure within such [***] period, the breaching Party shall, within
such [***] period, provided to the non-breaching Party a written
plan reasonably acceptable to the non- breaching Party, that is reasonably calculated to effect a cure. Where the non-breaching Party
has accepted any such plan in accordance with the preceding sentence, the
non-breaching Party may terminate this Agreement
immediately up on written notice to the breaching Party if the breaching Party subsequently fails to carry out such plan. The right of either Party to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 13.4 shall not be affected in any way by such Party’s waiver or failure to take action with respect to any previous default.
|
13.4.2 |
Material breach shall include non-payment
of sums due and owing from GSK. Material breach shall include failure
of Immunocore to communicate to GSK [***].
|
13.4.3 |
If the Parties reasonably and in good faith disagree as to whether there has been a material breach, the Party which seeks to dispute that there has been a material breach may contest the allegation in accordance with Article 15. From the date that any claim of material breach is referred to the Executive
Officers in accordance with Section 15.1 until such time
as the dispute regarding such claimed material breach has become finally settled, the time period during which the breaching Party must cure an alleged breach that is the subject matter of the dispute shall be suspended and no termination under this Section 13.4 shall become effective.
|
13.5 |
Either Party may (without limiting any other remedy it may have) at any time terminate this Agreement or a specified Collaboration Program (which may include exercising the applicable Initial Program Option or Collaboration Program) with immediate effect if the other Party becomes insolvent, or if an order is made or a resolution is passed for its winding up (except voluntarily for the purpose of solvent
amalgamation or reconstruction), or if an administrator, administrative receiver or receiver is appointed over
the whole or any part of the other Party’s assets, or if the other Party makes any arrangement with its
creditors or ceases to carry on business or does or
suffers any similar or analogous act existing under the laws of any country.
|
13.6 |
Where GSK terminates any Collaboration Program or licence in accordance with Section 13.2, a Collaboration Program is terminated
in accordance with Section 13.3, or Immunocore terminates a Collaboration Program or licence for GSK breach in accordance with Section 13.4 (in each case a “Terminated Project”):
|
13.6.1 |
The restrictions under Section 6.4 shall cease to apply in relation to any Target or Licensed Product resulting from a Terminated Project from the date of termination of such Terminated Project;
|
13.6.2 |
All sums due and owing prior to the date of termination in relation to the Terminated Project shall remain due and
owing and Immunocore shall have no obligation to reimburse any payment previously made by GSK;
|
13.6.3 |
The licences Granted to GSK as set forth in Section 6.7 shall terminate with respect to the particular Terminated Project from date of termination of the Terminated Project. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in
relation to other Collaboration Programs and licences granted to GSK;
|
13.6.4 |
Save as provided in Sections 13.3 and 5.3.5 above, Immunocore shall be entitled to license the Immunocore Foreground arising from the performance of the Terminated Project to Third Parties; provided that such licenses are not in breach
of any other licenses to GSK remaining in effect under this Agreement;
|
13.6.5 |
[***] as applicable (save as provided in Section 13.7
below), with the right to grant sub- licences (through multiple tiers) solely for the further development and commercialization of the Terminated Products; provided that the foregoing [***] termination in accordance with Section 13.3;
|
13.6.6 |
Prosecution of any patents or patent applications covering any Immunocore Foreground that arose out of the performance of the Terminated Project, and
solely applicable to such Terminated Project (i.e. such Immunocore Foreground is not the subject of on-going licenses
to GSK under the Agreement) shall revert to Immunocore and GSK shall provide all reasonable assistance
at its cost to transition the filing, maintenance and prosecution of such Immunocore Foreground to Immunocore as soon as possible after the date of
termination.
|
13.6.7 |
The Parties shall discuss and agree a plan to either transfer responsibility for Clinical Trials of Licensed Products arising from the Terminated Project (“Terminated Products”) in which any patient has been enrolled, to Immunocore or Immunocore’s nominated Third
Party, or permit GSK or its Affiliates to complete and/or wind down such Clinical Trials. GSK shall be responsible for such costs of completion and/or winding down unless otherwise agreed by Parties;
|
13.6.8 |
GSK shall deliver to Immunocore [***] within [***] of the date of termination, or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter, all Results, data, materials, drug, submissions, regulatory documentation, clinical materials, details of Third Party sub-contractors (including manufacturers),
process details and all other materials in its possession or control
solely related to the applicable Terminated Product or
Terminated Project, and in each case as reasonably necessary solely for the purpose of permitting Immunocore (or as relevant its nominated Third Party) to continue with the research and development, sale, supply and manufacture of the
Terminated Products.
|
13.6.9 |
For the avoidance of doubt, in connect ion with the termination of a Collaboration Program in accordance with Section 13.3, the foregoing provisions of this Section 13.6 that are not relevant to such termination shall not apply. By way
of illustration only, if a Collaboration Program is terminated prior to exercise of a Collaboration Program Option, then GSK are unlikely to be prosecuting any Immunocore Foreground or conducting Clinical Trials of
|
13.7 |
[***] commercializes the Terminated Product, Immunocore shall pay to GSK a royalty of [***] of the Net Sales of such Terminated Product. The provisions of Sections 9.4,
9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11 and 9.12 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to
Immunocore ‘s obligations to pay royalties hereunder,
with all references to “GSK” replaced by “lmmunocore,“ all references to “lmmunocore” replaced by “GSK” and all references to “Licensed Product” replaced
with “Terminated Product.”
|
13.8 |
If (a) GSK or any of its Affiliates directly or indirectly commences any interference or opposition proceeding or challenges the validity or enforceability of, or opposes any extension of or the grant of any
supplementary protection certificate with respect to any patent or patent application within the Immunocore Background, Immunocore Foreground or Platform Rights licensed to it under Section 6.7 (each such action a “GSK Patent Challenge”); or (b) GSK uses the Immunocore Background or Immunocore Foreground
other than as licensed under Section 6.7.1, then Immunocore shall have the right to terminate the license to such patent granted to GSK under Section 6.7.1 to which the Patent Challenge relates or that GSK uses outside the scope of its
licenses hereunder (and all Compounds, Targets and Licensed Products covered by such patent), upon [***] written notice to GSK; provided, that Immunocore’s right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 13.8 shall not apply to any
Affiliate of GSK that first becomes an Affiliate of GSK after the Effective Date of this Agreement in connection with a merger or acquisition event, where such Affiliate of GSK was undertaking activities
in connection with a Patent Challenge prior to such merger or acquisition event and GSK ceases involvement in such Patent Challenge within [***] after such merger or acquisition event.
|
13.9 |
If (a) Immunocore or any of its Affiliates or their sublicensees (to the extent such sublicensees are
sublicensed under the relevant GSK Background or GSK Foreground which is subject to the Immunocore
Patent Challenge) directly or indirectly commences any interference or opposition proceeding or challenges the validity or enforceability of, or opposes any extension of or the grant of any supplementary protection certificate with respect to any patent or
patent application within the GSK Background or GSK Foreground licensed to it under Sections 6.12 and 6.13 (each such action
an “Immunocore Patent Challenge”); or (b) Immunocore uses the GSK Background or GSK Foreground other than as
licensed under Sections 6.12 or 6.13, then GSK shall have the right to terminate the license to such patent gr anted to Immunocore under Sections 6.12 or 6.13 to which the Immunocore
Patent Challenge relates or that Immunocore uses outside the scope of its licenses hereunder (and all Compounds, Targets and products comprising Compounds Cover ed
by such patent), upon [***]’ written notice to
Immunocore; provided, that
GSK’s right to terminate the licence under this Section 13.9 shall (i) not apply to any Affiliate of Immunocore that first becomes an Affiliate of Immunocore after the Effective Date
of this Agreement in connection with a merger or acquisition event, where such Affiliate of Immunocore was undertaking activities in connection with an Immunocore Patent Challenge prior to such merger or acquisition event and Immunocore causes such Immunocore Patent Challenge to terminate within [***] after such
merger or acquisition event; (ii) only apply in the case of sublicensees where GSK has given Immunocore notice of any Immunocore Patent Challenge and at least [***] to procure the termination of
such Immunocore Patent Challenge. This Section 13.9 and the right to terminate any licence under this Section 13.9 shall not apply
in relation to any pre- existing sub-licensee of Immunocore
under the Immunocore Background and relating to Compounds as
at the Effective Date.
|
13.10 |
Where Immunocore is in material breach of this Agreement in connection with a Collabo rat ion Program in accordance with Section 13.4, the following shall apply:
|
13.10.1 |
GSK shall have the right in its sole discretion to exercise any or all of the Initial Program
Options or Collaboration Program Options for all then on-going Collaboration Programs,
|
13.10.2 |
The restrictions set forth in Section 6.4 shall continue to apply to Immunocore;
|
13.10.3 |
The licences granted to Immunocore as set forth in Section 6.12 and 6.13 shall terminate with respect to the particular Collaboration Program from date of termination or exercise of the applicable Initial Program Option or Collaboration
Program Option thereof. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in relation to other Collaboration Programs and licences granted to GSK;
|
13.10.4 |
The Parties shall discuss and agree a plan to transfer responsibility for on-going Clinical Trials of Licensed Products arising from the terminated
Collaboration Program to GSK including which Party shall be responsible for costs associated with transfer, completion or winding down; and
|
13.10.5 |
Immunocore shall deliver to GSK [***] within [***] of the date of termination all Results, data, materials, drug, submissions, regulatory documentation, clinical materials,
details of Third Party sub-contractors (including manufacturers), process details and all other materials in its possession or control solely related to the applicable Licensed Product arising in the course of the
terminated Collaboration Program, and in each case as reasonably necessary solely for the purpose of
permitting GSK (or as relevant its Affiliates or sub-licensee) to continue with the research and development, sale,
supply and manufacture of such Licensed Products.
|
13.11 |
Where GSK terminates this Agreement or any specified Collaboration Program under Section 13.5, the following shall apply:
|
13.11.1 |
GSK shall have the right in its sole discretion to exercise any or all of the Initial Program Options or Collaboration Program Options
for all then on-going Collaboration Programs where the Agreement is
being terminated in its entirety or the Initial Program Options or Collaboration Program Options relevant to a particular
Collaboration Program being terminated, and GSK’s obligation to pay Immunocore the Milestone Fees
associated with the development milestones set fort h on Schedule 2 shall be modified as set forth in Schedule 2;
|
13.11.2 |
The licences granted to Immunocore as set forth in Section 6.12 and 6.13 shall terminate with respect to the particular Collaboration Program from date of termination thereof. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in
relation to other Collaboration Programs and licences granted to GSK;
|
13.11.3 |
The Parties shall discuss and agree a plan to transfer responsibility for on- going Clinical Trials of Licensed Products arising from any terminated Collaboration Program to GSK. GSK shall pay for any costs or expenses associated with
transfer, completion or winding down of such Clinical Trials;
|
13.11.4 |
Immunocore shall deliver to GSK [***] within [***] of the date of termination all Results, data, materials, drug, submissions, regulatory documentation, clinical materials, details of Third Party sub-contractors (including manufacturers), process details and all other materials in its possession or control solely related to the applicable Licensed Product arising in the course of any terminated Collaboration Program, and in each case as reasonably necessary solely for the purpose of permitting
GSK (or as relevant its Affiliates or sub-
|
13.11.5 |
To the extent that any liquidator or administrator legally disclaims any continuing obligation or surviving obligation following
termination in accordance with Section 13.5, Immunocore shall offer GSK a right to negotiate in good faith for (a) any continuing licences to manufacture, sell, supply, use and import the Licensed Products subject to any disclaimed licence or option right; and (b) supply of materials under Section 13.11.4.
|
13.12 |
Termination of this Agreement will not release any Party from any obligation or liability which has fallen due or
arisen before the effective date of termination of this Agreement. Any payments due or arising prior to the date of termination shall immediately become due and payable on termination.
|
13.13 |
Articles 1 (to the extent required), 6 (to the extent provided in Article 13), 7 (to the extent provided in Article 13), 10, 11, 12 13 (and all Sections that are required to survive termination in accordance with Article 13) and 16 will survive termination or expiry of this Agreement for whatever reason.
|
14. |
Anti-bribery
|
14.1 |
Each Party agrees to:
|
14.1.1 |
comply with all Applicable Laws relating to ant i-bribery and anti-corrupt ion including but not limited to the Bribery Act 2010 (Relevant Requirements);
|
14.1.2 |
maintain in place throughout the term of this Agreement its own policies and procedures, including but not limited to adequate procedures under the Bribery Act 2010, to ensure compliance with the Relevant Requirements and will enforce them where appropriate;
|
14.1.3 |
comply with any key ant i- bribery policies of the other Party which
are communicated to it as of the Effective Date and in relation to which a Party can reasonably comply;
|
14.1.4 |
promptly report to other Party any request or de mand for any undue financial or other advantage of any kind it receives in connection with the performance of this Agreement; and
|
14.1.5 |
immediately notify other Party (in writing) if a foreign public official becomes an officer of its organisation or acquires a direct
interest in it (and it warrants that it has no foreign
public officials as officers or direct owners as of the Effective Date).
|
14.2 |
For the purpose of this Article 14, the meaning of adequate
procedures and foreign public official and whether a person
is associated with another person shall be determined in accordance with section 7(2) of the Bribery Act 2010 (and any guidance issued under section 9 of that Act), sections 6(5) and 6(6) and section 8 of that Act respectively.
|
14.3 |
Immunocore acknowledges receipt of GSK’s “Prevention
of Corruption - Third Party Guidelines” attached as Schedule 4 and agrees to comply with such as a key anti-bribery policy of GSK under Section 14.1.3.
|
15. |
Dispute Resolution
|
15.1 |
Either Party shall have the right to refer any dispute first to the JSC for resolution, provided the JSC is
still in existence at time the dispute arises and has not ceased to exist in accordance with Section
4.10.
|
15.2 |
Where any dispute cannot be resolved by the JSC within [***] of first referral to the JSC or where JSC is not in existence at date dispute arises, either Party shall have a right to refer such dispute to the respective Executive Officers (or their designees), and such Executive Officers shall
attempt in good faith to resolve such dispute.
|
15.3 |
Where the Executive Officers are unable to resolve the dispute within [***] of referral under Section 15.2, either Party thereafter may request that the
dispute be referred to Third Party mediation, by written notice to the other; provided, that if the subject matter of a dispute is within a Party’s
final decision-making authority pursuant to Article 4, then such dispute shall not be submitted to mediation and may
be finally decided by the Party having such authority. Where the Parties agree, such dispute shall be submitted to mediation in accordance with the Mediation Procedure of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“CPR”). Such mediation shall be attended on behalf of each Party for at least one session by a senior executive with authority to resolve the dispute and shall be held in London, England. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the Parties shall select a mediator from the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party has
the right to pursue provisional relief from any court, such
as attachment,
preliminary injunction or replevin to avoid irreparable harm, maintain the status quo,
or preserve the subject matter of the dispute, prior to the commencement of, or while the Par ties are engaged
in, the mediation process. Any dispute that cannot be resolved
by mediation within [***] of notice by one Party to the other Party
of the commencement of the mediation process shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance Section 15.4.
|
15.4 |
Any dispute remaining unresolved after Third Party mediation pursuant
to Section 15.3 of the Agreement (if applicable) will be submitted for resolution to arbitration by the International Court of Arbitration (“ICC”) in accordance with the ICC rules in force at the time of referral. The
arbitration shall be in London, England and shall be by a [***] arbitrator who shall (i) be a lawyer of not less than [***] who is knowledgeable in the law concerning the subject matter at issue in
the dispute, (ii) not be or have been an employee, consultant, officer, director or stockholder of either Party or any Affiliate of either Party and (iii) not
have a conflict of interest under any applicable rules of
ethics. The arbitrator shall be selected by mutual agreement of the Parties, provided that if the Parties cannot agree on the
arbitrator within [***] of the relevant arbitration request, the arbitrator shall be selected by the [***]. The arbitrator may proceed to an award, notwithstanding
the failure of either Party to participate in the proceedings. The arbitrator shall, within [***] after the conclusion of the arbitration hearing, issue
a written award and statement of decision describing the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based, in accordance with Applicable Laws, including the calculation of any damages awarded. The arbitrator shall be
authorized to award compensatory damages, but shall not be authorized to award non-economic damages or punitive, special, consequential, or any other similar form of damages, or to reform, modify
or materially change the Agreement. The arbitrator also
shall be authorized to grant any temporary, preliminary or permanent equitable remedy or relief the arbitrator deems
just and equitable and within the scope of this Agreement, including an injunction or order for specific performance. The award of the arbitrator shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Parties (except
for those remedies set forth in this Agreement), the Parties hereby expressly agree to waive the right to appeal
from the decisions of the arbitrator, and there shall be no appeal to any court or other authority (government or private) from the decision of the arbitrator. Judgment on the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be enforced in any court having competent jurisdiction thereof, and the decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on both
Parties in the absence of manifest error or fraud. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 15.4 to the contrary, each Party has the right before the arbitration is commenced, to seek and obtain from
the appropriate court provisional
|
15.5 |
Each Party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements arising out of the arbitration, and shall pay an equal share of the fees and costs of the arbitrators; provided, that
the arbitrator shall be authorized to determine whether a Party is the prevailing Party, and if so, to award to that prevailing Party reimbursement
for its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements.
|
15.6 |
All proceedings and decisions of the arbitrators shall be deemed Confidential Information of each of the Parties, and shall be subject to Article
10.
|
15.7 |
From the date of submission of the dispute to the Executive Officers, until such time as the dispute has become finally settled by Third Party mediation or
arbitration, the running of the time periods as to which a breaching Party must cure a breach of this Agreement becomes suspended as to any
breach that is the subject matter of the dispute.
|
15.8 |
Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, disputes relating to patents and patent applications and
non-disclosure, non-use and maintenance of Confidential Information shall not be subject to arbitration, and shall be submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction.
|
16. |
General
|
16.1 |
Notices: Any notice to be given under this Agreement must be
in writing and may be delivered to the other Party by
hand or courier (in which case the notice shall be deemed
received on day of delivery). Notices for Immunocore shall be marked for the attention of the CEO of Immunocore, sent to the address provided in the preamble of this Agreement. Notices for GSK shall be sent to the following:
|
16.2 |
Assignment: Neither Party may assign or transfer this Agreement as a whole,
or any of its rights or obligations under it, without first obtaining the written consent of the other Party (which may be given or withheld at the absolute discretion of the Party from which consent
is sought). Both parties may assign all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Affiliate or to any successor to the whole or relevant part of its business (or as relevant its Intellectual Property Rights) and the other
Party hereby consents to such assignment. Any assignment of Foreground or in the case of
|
16.3 |
Illegal/unenforceable provisions: If the whole or any part
of any provision of this Agreement is void or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement, and the rest of the void or unenforceable provision, will continue in force in that jurisdiction,
and the validity and enforceability of that provision in any other jurisdiction will not be affected.
|
16.4 |
Waiver of rights: If a Party fails to enforce, or delays in enforcing, an obligation of the other Party, or fails to exercise, or delays in exercising, a right under this Agreement, that failure or delay will not affect its right to enforce
that obligation or
constitute a waiver of that right. Any waiver of any provision of this
Agreement will not, unless expressly stated to the contrary, constitute a waiver of that provision on a future occasion.
|
16.5 |
No agency: Nothing in this Agreement creates, implies or evidences any partnership or joint venture between the parties, or the relationship bet ween them of principal and agent. Neither Party has any authority to make any representation or commitment, or to incur any liability, on behalf of the other.
|
16.6 |
Entire agreement: This Agreement
(incorporating all Schedules and Exhibits) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to its subject matter. Each Party acknowledges that it has not entered into
this Agreement on the basis of any warranty, representation, statement, agreement or
undertaking except those expressly set out in this Agreement. Each Party waives any claim for breach of this Agreement, or any right to rescind this
Agreement in respect of, any representation which is not an express provision
of this Agreement. However, this Section 16.6 does not exclude any liability which either Party may have to the other (or
any right which either Party may have to rescind this Agreement) in respect of any fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent concealment prior to the execution of this Agreement.
|
16.7 |
Formalities: Each Party will take any action and execute any document reasonably required by the other Party to give effect to any of its rights under this Agreement.
|
16.8 |
Amendments: No variation or amendment of this Agreement (including the Schedules) will be
effective unless it is made in writing and signed by each Party’s representative.
|
16.9 |
Third parties: No one except a Party to this Agreement has any right to prevent the amendment of this Agreement or its termination, and no one except a Party to this Agreement may enforce any benefit conferred by this Agreement, unless this Agreement expressly provides otherwise. The Immunocore Indemnified Parties
and GSK Indemnified Parties may directly enforce the indemnities in Article 11.
|
16.10 |
Governing law: This Agreement is governed by, and is to be construed in accordance with, English law.
|
16.11 |
Counterparts: This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each
and every one of which shall be deemed an original, notwithstanding variations in format or file designation which may result from the electronic transmission, storage and printing of copies of this
Agreement from separate computers or printers. Facsimile signatures and signatures transmitted via PDF shall be treated as original signatures.
|
SIGNED for and on behalf of
IMMUNOCORE LIMITED:
|
SIGNED for and on behalf of
GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property
Development Ltd:
|
||
Name
|
James Noble |
Name
|
Paul Williamson |
Position
|
CEO |
Position
|
Authorized Signatory
For and on behalf of Edinburgh
Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
Corporate Director
|
Signature
|
/s/ James Noble |
Signature
|
/s/ Paul Williamson |
• |
Any officer or employee of a government or any department, agency or instrument of a government;
|
• |
Any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of a government or any
department, agency, or instrument of a government;
|
• |
Any officer or employee of a company or business owned in whole or part by a government;
|
• |
Any officer or employee of a public international organization such as the World
|
• |
Bank or United Nations;
|
• |
Any officer or employee of a political party or any person acting in an official capacity on behalf of a political party; and/or
|
• |
Any candidate for political office.
|
• |
Always act with integrity and honesty and protect the Parties’ public image and reputation in relationships with customers, competitors, suppliers, business partners and
staff
|
• |
Promptly raise any concerns about possible unethical or illegal conduct
|
• |
Be free from actual or potential conflicts of interest that might influence, or appear to influence their judgment or actions when performing duties on behalf of the Parties
|
• |
The Parties’ reputation and the respect of those who deal with the Parties must not be put at risk by acceptance of any entertainment, gifts or favors intended or perceived by others to influence their
business judgment
|
• |
Communications with external audiences, i.e., Investors and the Media, should be managed through appointed company spokespersons to minimize risk to the Parties’ reputation
|
• |
Provide accurate and reliable information in records submitted, safeguard the Company’s confidential information, and respect the confidential information of other parties with whom the Company does business or com pet es
|
• |
Safety reviews of Products to evaluate emergent safety data
|
• |
Creation of appropriate committees and safety departments to proactively address human safety throughout Product development
|
• |
Reporting of Human Safety Information to safety departments in a timely fashion. This includes any information relating to human health and/ or wellbeing arising following exposure of humans to products including reports of drug abuse or overdose, reports of drug interaction, or information received as part of product complaints
|
• |
Animals should be used in research only when required by regulatory authorities or where there are no alternatives through adherence to the “3R” Principles--reducing the number of animals used, replacing animals with non-animal methods whenever
possible and refining the research techniques used. In addition, the Parties include two more R’s: Responsibility and Respect for animals involved in animal research.
|
• |
The Parties believe in using the highest standards for the humane care and treatment of all animals used in research, development and testing, including adherence to the principles (listed below), and all
applicable legal and regulatory requirements, with a default to which ever is more stringent.
|
• |
Access to species appropriate food and water
|
• |
Access to species specific housing, including species appropriate
temperature and humidity levels
|
• |
Access to humane care and a program of veterinary care
|
• |
Animal housing that minimizes the development of abnormal behaviors and allows for normal species specific behavior,
|
• |
Adherence to principles of replacement, reduction and refinement in the design of in vivo studies
|
• |
Study design reviewed by institutional ethical review panel
|
• |
Commitment to minimizing pain and distress during in vivo studies
|
• |
Work performed by appropriately trained staff
|
• |
No Great Apes should be used for research
|
• |
There must be a legitimate need for the services of the
expert that cannot be fulfilled in-house, and the minimum number of experts needed should be used
|
• |
Selection of experts should be based solely on the expert’s qualifications and expertise in the subject matter for which such expert is retained
|
• |
The expert’s services must be documented in a written signed agreement
|
• |
Compensation must be based on fair market value for the services provided
|
• |
Reimbursement or pre-payment for costs associated with travel, lodging, meals and hospitality (i.e. refreshments, background music at meetings) for an expert are acceptable if permitted by all law for the
location in which the services are rendered and are modest in value
|
• |
Experts shall not receive any gifts of any value, especially where the expert is also a healthcare professional
|
• |
Gift includes anything of value, regardless of amount, given to show friendship, appreciation, or support, including meals, entertainment or recreational activities (excludes fair market value for services rendered).
|
• |
Healthcare Professionals includes, but is not limited to, physicians, their allied health professionals, and medical office staff. This term also applies to pharmacists and employees of pharmacy benefit managers.
|
• |
Non-profit organization
|
• |
The organization’s principle mission involves advancing science, medicine, or public health (collectively, a “health-related” mission)
|
• |
The organization does not prescribe, purchase or recommend the Parties products, unless the request for a charitable donation for such an organization is for a widely publicized fund-raising event or campaign
in support of the health - related mission of the organization
|
• |
The organization, as well as its management and leadership, are independent of the control of the Parties or undue influence of any of the Parties’ employees or agents
|
• |
Even if the health-related organization is eligible to receive a charitable donation, the donation may not be provided if a donation is intended:
|
• |
As a means of rewarding the prescribing, recommending, or use of the Parties products or services, including the influencing of formulary inclusion or placement
|
• |
As a means of promoting the use of the Parties products or services. Return on investment (ROI) analyses are not permitted
|
• |
As a means of supporting political causes or candidates
|
• |
As a means of supporting any organization or activity without a direct and bona fide scientific, medical, or public health
purpose
|
• |
A recipient of FESMP must be reasonably qualified to conduct
high quality educational programs, research, or other activity being funded
|
• |
FESMP is not permitted if used as a means of rewarding the prescribing, recommending, or use of the Parties products or services, including the
influencing of formulary inclusion/ placement
|
• |
A recipient of FESMP must agree to make meaningful disclosure of any financial sponsorship from the partner
|
• |
FESMP may not be “expensed” or paid with the personal funds of an employee or contractor, and then reimbursed
|
• |
FESMP is not permitted as a means of supporting political causes or candidates
|
• |
FESMP is not permitted if used as a means of supporting any organization or activity without a direct and bona fide scientific, medical, or public health purpose
|
• |
FESMP must comply with all substantive and procedural requirements established by the law where the program or activity potentially
being funded will take place
|
• |
Collecting PMI only for specific and lawful purposes
|
• |
Collecting, retaining, using, reusing, and disclosing PMI only with valid consent or as otherwise permitted by law or regulation
|
• |
PMI obtained from external sources is treated as a re-use and all reuse must be consistent with the original informed consent
|
• |
Retention of PMI only for as long as business activities or scientific research requires and retention of only the minimum amount of identifying information necessary
|
• |
Ensuring the physical and technological security of PMI
|
• |
Not using PMI in external publications
|
• |
Never transferring PMI from the pharmaceutical R&D division to the marketing function unless permission is obtained from the individual
|
• |
Ensure that samples are
collected with informed consent and ethics committee/Institutional Review Board (I RB) approval in accordance with the applicable research requirements of Good Clinical Practice (International Conference on Harmonization). Additionally, through informed consent, donors must be made aware that the research is being undertaken by a commercial entity and that, where applicable, the research involves the analysis of DNA and / or medical information.
|
• |
When obtaining samples from another entity that collected the samples for reasons unrelated to the Parties, confirmation that the entity complied with relevant requirements for informed consent, ethics committee/IRS approval and data privacy is required
|
• |
Human biological samples must be used only for purposes that are consistent with the consent obtained and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations
|
• |
Additional individual donor consent and ethics committee/ IRS approval should be obtained when the research use intended is inconsistent with / beyond the scope of the original consent. Additional consent should also be obtained if the original consent did not include analysis of DNA (if relevant to the research proposal) or use of any associated medical information (if relevant to the research proposal).
|
• |
In general, cell lines (e.g. Hela), derivatives (e.g. isolated proteins) and preparations of human biological materials (e.g. sub-cellular fractions) that are well
established and made available for research use, do not require re- consent and/or ethics committee/IRB approval for the
intended research use
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• |
Proposals to collect, obtain, or use human embryonic or foetal
samples for research should be carefully reviewed and such research must have the potential to benefit patients
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• |
All human subject research must be conducted in accordance with the following principles:
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Human subject research is conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence and
justice
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• |
Human subject research always has a legitimate scientific purpose and is not designed with the objective of rewarding healthcare professionals for using, purchasing, recommending, or prescribing the Parties’
products
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• |
Sales/marketing/commercial staff generally does not participate in the initiation or conduct of human subject research
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• |
Placebo controlled studies are conducted only when there are scientifically sound methodological reasons, where the risks are minimized and reasonable in relation to the knowledge gained, and when patients
who receive placebo will not be subject to any additional risk of harm
|
• |
The standard of care required by the study design is, as a minimum, consistent with local standards of care
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• |
Human subject research should be publicly disclosed and ideally published in the searchable, peer reviewed, scientific literature
|
• |
In most circumstances, summary protocols and summary results of clinical studies are posted on publicly available registers and/ or in the scientific literature within appropriate timelines.
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• |
External proposals for additional analyses of human subject research studies are assessed for scientific merit and undertaken as collaborations between in-house scientists and the proposer.
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• |
Clinical studies are never terminated for solely financial reasons.
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• |
Interventional human subject research is conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, the principles of ICH GCP E6, ICH Ell (pediatrics)
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• |
Interventional studies of medicinal and other products are conducted in countries where the products are expected to be sold in and suitable for the wider community of the country
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• |
All interventional human subject research is conducted only with the approval of Institutional Review Boards or Independent Ethics Committees
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• |
When interventional human subject research is conducted in developing countries, the Parties seek agreement with key interested external parties in the country on the conduct of the research, including the
standard of care provided during the study, the scientific rationale for interventions,
including placebo, the provision of healthcare for subjects after the study, and the fate
of any capacity built for the conduct of the study
|
• |
All interventional human subject research requires the informed
consent of subjects
(or their legal representative) who participate in the research
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• |
When nationally licensed medicinal products that are not the subject of the research study are required for the routine care of a patient during the conduct of the study, the Parties only fund these when they
are not funded by the normal healthcare infrastructure and there is assurance that they or suitable alternatives will be available and funded after the study while the medical need exists
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For diseases/conditions that continue beyond the end of an interventional study, the Parties must be assured the healthcare system is able to provide, and will take responsibility for, the continued care of
study subjects
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• |
When there is a compelling medical rationale for patients who have derived measurable medical benefit from an investigational medicinal product during an interventional study to continue to receive that product after the
study, the Parties endeavor to provide that treatment either through additional clinical studies or through expanded access programs
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• |
The Parties provide investigators with the summary results of interventional studies in which they participate, and encourages investigators to inform their
subjects of the results
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• |
Research utilizing data from the Parties’ previous clinical studies in a manner inconsistent with, or beyond the scope of, the original informed consent requires re-
consent of the subjects, or if this is not practical, IRB/IEC approval. If this is not practical, the data are anonymized
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• |
The Parties review, before submission for publication, any
proposed manuscripts, presentations or abstracts prepared by research collaborators
which originate from the Parties human subject research studies (including the Parties supported studies)
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• |
For observational studies where clinical data are collected by or on behalf of the Parties specifically for the purpose of the research, the Parties abide by
the local legal requirements and regulations for informed consent for the use of these data and IRB/IECs approval is obtained
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• |
For observational studies using healthcare databases, the Parties are assured that there is compliance with relevant legal requirements for data privacy and that patients have provided informed consent for the use of their data in research, or IRB/IEC approval has
been obtained for that use; or other measures to protect privacy are in place (e.g. the data are anonymized)
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be on Immunocore company letterhead
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set out Immunocore’s bank details as noted below
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have a contact name and contact number
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contain an invoice date and invoice number
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state the contractual payment terms after receipt of invoice
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be addressed to:
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Date Nominated :
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Target name:
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Protein identification number:
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Target protein sequence:
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Date received by Immunocore:
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Date:
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Date:
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