Collaboration to develop next-generation dual-payload ADCs
[by Yu, Suin] Qurient announced on September 25 that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Synaffix B.V., a clinical-stage antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform company and subsidiary of Switzerland-based Lonza, to advance the development of dual-payload ADCs.
The agreement is structured as a platform technology license for the development of dual-payload ADCs. Under its terms, Qurient has secured a non-exclusive license to leverage 피망 바카라's proprietary ADC platform technology for its dual-payload ADC development. The deal is valued at USD 249.5 million (approximately KRW 349.5 billion), including an upfront payment as well as payments tied to development progress, regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Europe, and future sales-based milestone payments.
Dual-payload ADCs are engineered to simultaneously deliver two payloads with distinct mechanisms of action to target cancer cells, a design intended to boost therapeutic efficacy while reducing the risk of resistance to a single payload. According to the companies, this approach also offers the potential to broaden the therapeutic window, particularly for patients with refractory cancers, while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues.
The collaboration aims to tackle unmet medical needs in solid tumors through the development of a dual-payload ADC combining Qurient's CDK7 inhibitor and 피망 바카라's exatecan-based technology. Under the agreement, Qurient will gain access to 피망 바카라's site-specific ADC platform technologies, including GlycoConnect, the HydraSpace polar spacer, and exatecan-based linker-payload technology. In addition, Qurient will benefit from the support of parent company Lonza, which brings industry-leading expertise in the development and manufacturing of bioconjugates.
Under the agreement, Lonza will oversee the production of components tied to 피망 바카라's proprietary technologies, while Qurient will take charge of the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the ADC, including the production of its proprietary CDK7 inhibitor.
"Dual-payload ADCs represent a new frontier in targeted antibody therapeutics. We are eager to advance this novel combination of our CDK7 inhibitor and 피망 바카라's SYNtecan linker-payload toward successful development," said Nam Ki-yean, CEO of Qurient.
"The synergy between Qurient's proprietary technology and 피망 바카라's industry-leading platform holds strong potential for application across a broader spectrum of targets and antibodies. We intend to continue exploring these opportunities," Nam further commented.
"This agreement with Qurient serves as a strong testament to the versatility of our industry-leading ADC platform technology. The development of dual-payload ADCs utilizing our technology further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to pioneering innovation in the ADC sector," stated Peter van de Sande, CEO of 피망 바카라.
Meanwhile, Lonza, one of the world's largest contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), with more than 19,000 employees on five continents, partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to bring innovative technologies to market and transform them into therapeutic solutions. By integrating cutting-edge science, advanced technologies, and efficient production systems, Lonza enables its clients to deliver life-saving and quality-enhancing treatments to patients worldwide. In H1 2020, the company reported revenues of CHF 3.6 billion (approximately USD 4.4 billion) and an adjusted EBITDA of CHF 1.1 billion.
피망 바카라 is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of ADC candidates through its clinical-stage ADC platform technologies. Its ADC platform is built on three core technologies, GlycoConnect, HydraSpace, and toxSYN, which enable antibody developers to create best-in-class ADCs under a single technology license agreement. Supported by a secure supply chain, these platforms also help shorten timelines to clinical entry. 피망 바카라, which commercializes its patented technologies through licensing, was acquired by Lonza in June 2023.