BIOTECHNOLOGY company TC BioPharm and US counterpart bluebird bio, have embarked on a collaboration and license agreement worth an initial $16 million to the Edinburgh firm.

The companies will work together to advance TC BioPharm (TCB)’s pioneering immunology cancer treatment technology.

The firm, co-founded by chief executive Dr Michael Leek, said staff numbers would “increase significantly in the coming months”. The group currently employs 60 staff.

Its technology treats patients with skin, lung and kidney cancer, using their own cells to attack the disease by centring on the cultivation of a type of white blood cell which naturally battles cancer, but struggles when the disease reaches advanced stages.

Bluebird bio said the agreement complemented its growing immuno-oncology development programme.

Under the terms of the agreement, bluebird bio and TCB will collaborate to discover and develop gamma delta T cells for cancer targets and indications. TCB is responsible for development of initial targets, before giving bluebird the exclusive option to assume sole responsibility for further clinical development and commercialisation on a global basis.

In addition to the upfront payment and subsequent potential milestone payments, TCB is also eligible for tiered royalties on product sales.