Abzena plc (AIM:ABZA), a life sciences group providing services and technologies to enable development and manufacture of biopharmaceutical products, has signed a significant licensing deal for its novel site specific ThioBridge™ antibody drug conjugate (ADC) linker technology. The partner is a publicly listed US biotech company that is developing and commercialising oncology therapies, including ADCs.
Abzena will receive an initial licence and target nomination fee and has the potential to receive further licence fees and milestone payments of up to $150 million 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. Following a collaborative research programme jointly conducted by Abzena and its partner for the evaluation of 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.
Dr John Burt, CEO of Abzena commented:
“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.
“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.”