ABL extends antibody agreement in $220m deal with WuXi Biologics
This extended collaboration comes after WuXi Biologics and South Korean biotech, ABL Bio, entered an exclusive development and manufacturing partnership in November 2018.
Per the extended agreement, ABL will gain the rights to use WuXi Biologics’ platforms, including WuXiBody and CD3 platform, for the R&D and the commercialization of multiple bispecific antibodies.
ABL will also gain the rights to develop new bispecific antibodies targeting immune checkpoint receptor, – part of the company’s immune-oncology program.
Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, said in a statement that it is the seventh partnership the firm has signed since launching its WuXiBody platform in August 2018. At the time of the launch, Chen said the platform could “potentially transform the industry.”
“Quick adoption of our WuXiBody bispecific platform further validates that this proprietary platform addresses most technical limitations of current bispecific platforms and can potentially tremendously reduce the cost of making these biologics,” said Chen.
The WuXiBody platform can be used in both fed-batch and concentrated fed-batch production, which according to the company, leads to streamlined aggregation and faster development times. The company also states that almost any monoclonal antibody (mAb) sequence can be used to build bispecifics within the platform.
Chen further explained, the company will continue to invest in developing ‘next-generation’ technologies to accelerate the development of biologics using its global manufacturing network.
ABL Bio will pay WuXi Biologics a total of $220m (€193m) including regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Additionally, WuXi Biologics will be entitled to royalties based on potential global sales of any products commercialized.
