In a deal that signals an important role for IDO (indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase) inhibitors in the rapidly evolving immuno-oncology field, Ebola vaccine developer NewLink Genetics has licensed its Phase I IDO pathway inhibitor NLG919 to Roche’s Genentech for US$150 M upfront. The two companies will also collaborate to discover next-generation IDO/ tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase (TDO) compounds. IDO is an immunosuppressive enzyme that is exploited by tumours to evade immune destruction. The deal provides a significant validation of NewLink’s IDO platform and represents Genentech’s second potential billion-dollar deal of 2014 so far.