Sotio will pay $8.1 million upfront for the BOXR technology and assume development of Unum's lead candidate, BOXR1030. Unum will also be eligible for future milestone payments of up to $3.4 million. The deal closed on August 28.

As part of the agreement, Sotio will assume responsibility for a portion of Unum's facilities in Cambridge, MA, to advance the BOXR programs. In addition, certain Unum staff associated with the BOXR programs will transition to Sotio.

Meanwhile, Unum said it has retained its antibody-coupled T cell receptor (ACTR) technology and continues to explore strategic opportunities for its technology and assets. It will also retain certain staff and space in its Cambridge facilities as it refocuses on the development of small-molecule precision kinase inhibitors, including its PLX9486 lead program. Unum said it will reinvest the net proceeds of the BOXR sale into the development of PLX9486.

In other company news, Unum has appointed Peter Harwin as its board chair. Harwin is co-founder and managing member of Fairmount Funds Management, and also played an integral role in Unum's recent acquisition of Kiq, according to the firm.