Seeking to develop a therapeutic against the effects of one of its own products, Japan Tobacco (Osaka) entered into an multiyear agreement in June with biotechnology firm Corixa Corp (Seattle, WA) for the development of therapeutic lung cancer vaccines. In exchange for over $40 million in fees, funding, and milestone payments, Corixa will supply Japan Tobacco with lung cancer antigens, some of which will be formulated using its microsphere delivery system and adjuvant technologies. Japan Tobacco will receive exclusive rights in Japan and North America to resulting vaccine and antibody-based products for treating lung cancer and other solid tumors, as well as co-exclusive rights with Corixa partner Zambon Group SpA in China. With 500,000 new cases in the US, Europe, and Japan annually, lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world.