Cue Biopharma And ImmunoScape Partner to Develop In Vivo T Cell Therapy For Solid Tumors; $15M Collaboration Combines Immuno-STAT And TCR Platforms

Cue Biopharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering T cell–targeted biologics for autoimmune diseases and cancer, has entered a collaboration and license agreement with ImmunoScape Pte. Ltd., a biotechnology firm developing next-generation T cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies. The partnership aims to develop a novel in vivo “Seed-and-Boost” immunotherapy for treating solid tumors. This approach integrates Cue Biopharma’s Immuno-STAT platform (CUE-100 series) with ImmunoScape’s proprietary TCRs, offering a potentially transformative strategy to improve anti-tumor activity, enhance T cell durability, and simplify manufacturing compared to conventional cell therapies.

“We believe this strategic collaboration with ImmunoScape represents a significant development for treating solid tumors with immunotherapy and creating potential value for our shareholders,” said Usman Azam, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Cue Biopharma. “It positions the Company to focus on our autoimmune disease programs and continue to advance the Immuno-STAT platform for oncology with our partners at ImmunoScape.”

The Seed-and-Boost model involves first administering a small number of ImmunoScape’s tumor-specific TCR-T cells (the “Seed”), followed by Cue Biopharma’s IL-2–based Immuno-STAT molecules (the “Boost”). This sequential treatment is designed to selectively expand and activate tumor-targeting T cells in vivo, avoiding the systemic immune activation commonly associated with cytokine therapies. By leveraging precise, targeted stimulation, this approach may enhance tumor infiltration and persistence of T cells while reducing exhaustion, ultimately improving both efficacy and patient tolerability. Extensive preclinical data from both companies supports the potential of this breakthrough therapeutic concept.

“ImmunoScape is excited to partner with Cue Biopharma to pioneer this novel immunotherapy against solid tumors and potentially provide patients with a promising treatment option,” said Michael Fehlings, chief executive officer of ImmunoScape. “Based on our extensive preclinical work, we believe this Seed- and-Boost approach will transform T cell therapy for long-term efficacy against a range of solid tumors while avoiding the deleterious side effects of broad immune activation. We aim to transform patients’ lives by enabling superior cell therapy and streamlining the patient journey.”

Under the agreement, Cue Biopharma will receive $15 million in upfront payments, $10 million in Q4 2025 and $5 million in November 2026, along with a 40% equity stake in ImmunoScape and eligibility for high single-digit royalties on future net sales. The collaboration capitalizes on Cue’s clinically validated CUE-100 series, which has shown activity across metastatic cancers without the toxicities of traditional IL-2 therapies, and ImmunoScape’s extensive TCR library targeting multiple tumour-specific antigens. Together, the companies aim to redefine the future of solid tumor treatment with scalable, precise, and durable T cell therapies.