Biocytogen Enters into Antibody Agreement with ADC Therapeutics

Rhea-AI Summary

Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals announced an agreement with ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) to evaluate Biocytogen's proprietary antibodies against three tumor targets. This agreement allows ADC Therapeutics to license selected antibodies for global development, with Biocytogen retaining all rights beyond ADC development. The agreement includes an upfront payment, option-exercise fees, and milestone payments that may total tens of millions, alongside royalties on net sales. This partnership aims to leverage both companies' expertise in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for innovative cancer treatments.

Positive

• Upfront payment received by Biocytogen as part of the agreement.
• Potential for tens of millions in additional milestone payments.
• Collaboration may enhance ADC Therapeutics' development capabilities.

Negative

• None.

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. ("Biocytogen", HKEX: 02315) today announced that it has entered into an evaluation and option agreement with ADC Therapeutics SA. Biocytogen will grant ADC Therapeutics a license to evaluate Biocytogen’s proprietary antibodies against three tumor targets, with an option to license selected antibodies at a later date for global ADC development and commercialization. Biocytogen reserves all global rights for these antibodies beyond ADC development. Biocytogen will receive an upfront payment. For each option exercised, Biocytogen will be entitled to an option-exercise fee, and development and commercial milestone payments, which potentially total tens of millions of US dollars, as well as single-digit royalties on net sales.

Under the agreement, Biocytogen will provide ADC Therapeutics with monoclonal and/or biparatopic antibodies directed against three tumor targets, generated through Biocytogen’s Project Integrum (also called RenMice^TM HiTS Platform). ADC Therapeutics will carry out feasibility studies and be responsible for further development and commercialization of the ADC products if the company exercises an option.

“ADC Therapeutics is a leader in the development and commercialization of ADCs. We believe this collaboration with ADC Therapeutics will underscore the value of Biocytogen’s proprietary antibody discovery and screening platforms,” said Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen. “We’ve been dedicated to expanding the possibilities of antibody-based therapeutics in disease treatment, through the exploration of new types of targets and modalities through Project Integrum. The combination of Biocytogen’s strength in antibody development with ADC Therapeutics’ expertise and track record in payload and linker technology may lead to the generation of novel ADC medicines for unmet medical needs in the future.”

“We are pleased to enter this collaboration with Biocytogen as we continue expanding our toolbox to realize the full potential of our ADC platform,” said Patrick van Berkel, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of ADC Therapeutics. “We look forward to evaluating the fully human antibodies from Biocytogen’s proprietary discovery platform, which have the potential to accelerate the development of our novel ADCs.”

About Biocytogen

Biocytogen (HKEX: 02315) is a global biotechnology company that drives the research and development of novel antibody-based drugs with innovative technologies. Using its proprietary RenMab^TM /RenLite^® mice platforms for fully human monoclonal and bispecific antibody development, Biocytogen has integrated its in vivo drug efficacy screening platforms and strong clinical development expertise to streamline the entire drug development process. Biocytogen is undertaking a large-scale project to develop first-in-class and/or best-in-class antibody drugs for more than 1000 targets, known as Project Integrum (RenMice^TM HiTS Platform). This project has resulted in 28 drug co-development agreements and 16 RenMice^TM licensing agreements with companies around the world, including several partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs). The company's pipeline includes 12 core products, among which two products are in phase II multi-regional clinical trials and two products are in phase I. Headquartered in Beijing, Biocytogen has branches in Haimen Jiangsu, Shanghai, Boston, USA and Heidelberg, Germany. For more information, please visit http://en.biocytogen.com.cn.

About ADC Therapeutics

ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage biotechnology company improving the lives of those affected by cancer with its next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The Company is advancing its proprietary PBD-based ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

ADC Therapeutics’ CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large b-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in development in combination with other agents. In addition to ZYNLONTA, ADC Therapeutics has multiple ADCs in ongoing clinical and preclinical development.

ADC Therapeutics is based in Lausanne (Biopôle), Switzerland and has operations in London, the San Francisco Bay Area and New Jersey. For more information, please visit and follow the Company on and LinkedIn.

ZYNLONTA® is a registered trademark of ADC Therapeutics SA.

ADC Therapeutics Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business and commercialization strategy, market opportunities, products and product candidates, research pipeline, ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, regulatory submissions and approvals, projected revenues and expenses and the timing of revenues and expenses, timing and likelihood of success, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including those described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221127005015/en/

Biocytogen’s Contacts

Antibody Assets and Platforms: BD-Licensing@biocytogen.com

Media: pr@bbctg.com.cn

Source: Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

FAQ

What is the recent agreement between Biocytogen and ADC Therapeutics (ADCT)?

Biocytogen has entered an evaluation and option agreement with ADC Therapeutics to license proprietary antibodies against three tumor targets for global ADC development.

What are the financial implications of the agreement for ADCT?

Biocytogen will receive an upfront payment and may earn milestone payments totaling tens of millions, along with royalties on net sales if options are exercised.

How does this collaboration benefit ADC Therapeutics (ADCT)?

The collaboration allows ADC Therapeutics to evaluate fully human antibodies, potentially accelerating their development of novel ADC products.

What rights does Biocytogen retain in the agreement with ADCT?

Biocytogen retains all global rights for the antibodies beyond the ADC development phase.

What is Biocytogen's role in the ADC collaboration?

Biocytogen will provide monoclonal and biparatopic antibodies and is responsible for generating them through its proprietary platform.