Abzena signs licensing deal with US biotech partner for ThioBridge ADC linker technology
There is potential for Abzena to receive payments of up to US$150m
Abzena, a UK life sciences group providing services and technologies to enable development and manufacture of biopharmaceutical products, has signed a 'significant' licensing deal for its ThioBridge antibody drug conjugate (ADC) linker technology.
The unnamed partner is a publicly listed US biotech company that is developing and commercialising oncology therapies, including ADCs, the firm said.
Abzena will receive an initial licence and target nomination fee and has the potential to receive further payments of up to US$150m if the partner develops a product for each of three designated targets with the ThioBridge technology, as well as royalties on the sale of ThioBridge ADC products developed under this agreement.
ThioBridge is Abzena’s proprietary ADC linker technology, which links antibodies and other proteins to drugs.
Signing a licence for ThioBridge with a large US biotech partner is a key milestone for us
The partners have already conducted a collaborative research programme for ThioBridge, during which multiple ADC product candidates were evaluated for efficacy and safety in preclinical models.
The biotech company has selected a lead product for further development, said Abzena.
Dr John Burt, CEO of Abzena, said: 'Signing a licence for ThioBridge with a large US biotech partner is a key milestone for us and a great endorsement of our proprietary technology and expertise.'
He added: 'Through the research collaboration, our scientists have built a strong working relationship with our partner and have demonstrated the value of the ThioBridge technology in creating novel ADCs. We look forward to continuing to work together as this ADC progresses to and through clinical development.'
