EXHIBIT 10.21
MATERIAL TRANSFER AND COMMERCIAL
EVALUATION AGREEMENT
Material Transfer and Commercial Evaluation Agreement effective this 9th day of
March 1999 by and between Tanox, Inc. of 10301 Stella Link, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
00000-0000, XXX and Biovation Limited of Xxxxxxx Lodge, Aberdeen Science Park,
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx XX00 0XX, XX.
WHEREAS Tanox (the "Company"), has developed plasmids containing recombinant
variable regions from 5D12 and 5A8 hybridomas (hereafter called the
"Reagents").
WHEREAS, Biovation ("Biovation") is interested in obtaining samples of the
Reagents for evaluation purposes in anticipation of entering a research and
license agreement with the Company to perform Biovation's Deimmunisation
procedure on these Reagents, as is currently being negotiated. The Company is
willing to provide such samples for such purpose upon the terms and conditions
set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree
as follows:
1. The parties will continue to negotiate and will enter a research and
licensing agreement regarding Deimmunisation of the Company's Reagents and
other products.
2. Biovation will maintain the Reagents and derivatives thereof (including
other products derived directly or indirectly from the Reagents, referred
to herein as the "Derivatives") within its sole possession and control
and only for use in evaluating the Reagents or any Derivatives.
3. Biovation will limit access to the Reagents, the Derivatives and any
technical information and know-how relating thereto disclosed by the
Company (the "Information") to only those employees who have a need to
know in order to evaluate the Reagents, provided, however, such employees
are obligated to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
4. The Reagents, and the information are being provided to and accepted by
Biovation without any warranty of merchantability or fitness for any
particular purpose or any other warranty, express or implied. The Company
and its directors, officers, employees or agents assume no liability and
make no representations in connection with the Reagents or the Derivatives
or the Information for their use by Biovation. Biovation hereby agrees to
defend, indemnify and hold harmless the company and its directors,
officers, employees and agents from and against any liability or claim
arising from any use of the Reagents and for the presence or absence of any
pathogens and Biovation assume all risk of harm with respect to any such
pathogens.
5. For a period of five (5) years from the date of receipt of the Reagents,
Biovation will not use, except as authorised by this Agreement, or disclose
the Reagents, any Derivative or the Information for their use except when,
after and to the extent such Information was previously known to Biovation
from a source other than the Company, becomes generally known to the public
through no fault of Biovation's or is made available to Biovation by a
third party having the lawful right to do so.
6. If requested, Biovation will return the Reagents and Derivatives to the
Company and will return all written materials, if any, furnished under this
Agreement. One record copy of the written material may be retained by
Biovation.
7. Within six (6) months from the date of this Agreement, Biovation shall
provide the Company with a written report of all tests carried out on the
Reagents or the Derivatives.
8. No right or license with respect to the Reagents, any Derivative or the
Information is granted by this Agreement except as expressly stated herein.
9. Biovation will not publish or otherwise communicate any results or other
information from the evaluation of the Reagents or Derivatives without the
prior written consent of the Company.
10. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of Texas.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
effective date above written.
By: /s/XXXXX X. XXXXXX By: /s/XXXXX X. XXXX
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Xxxxx X. Xxxx
For and on behalf of Tanox For and on behalf of Tanox
Title: Sr. Vice President for Title: Chief Executive Officer
Research & Development Date: 9 March 1999
Date:
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