SOTIO Enters Licensing Agreement With Synaffix to Expand ADC Pipeline
- Synaffix to provide access to proprietary Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) technologies
- SOTIO to develop up to three next generation bioconjugates
- Total potential deal value of up to $740 million, plus royalties on commercial sales for three ADC programs
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, 16 October 2023 — Synaffix B.V., a Lonza company (SIX:LONN) focused on commercializing its clinical-stage platform technology for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with best-in-class therapeutic index, enters licensing agreement with SOTIO Biotech (SOTIO), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company owned by PPF Group.
SOTIO will gain access to Synaffix’s ADC technologies, GlycoConnect™, HydraSpace™ and toxSYN™ linker-payloads, in an initial ADC program with the option to expand research and commercial licenses into two additional programs at a later date.
Under the terms of the agreement, Synaffix will be eligible to receive up to $740 million in payments spanning signature, target nomination and milestone payments plus additional royalties on commercial sales. SOTIO will be responsible for the research, development, and commercialization of the ADCs. Synaffix will be responsible for the manufacturing of components that are specifically related to its proprietary technologies.
Peter van de Sande, Head of Synaffix, said: “The selection of our ADC technologies by a seasoned ADC player like SOTIO is a strong recognition of the potential of these technologies to maximize the therapeutic index of ADCs. We look forward to partnering with SOTIO, and believe that with their singular focus on cancer immunotherapies and robust clinical pipeline, this partnership can deliver innovative medicines for patients in areas of high unmet medical need.”
Radek Spisek, Chief Executive Officer of SOTIO, said: “At SOTIO, we are building a broad pipeline of next-generation ADCs to address the challenges of solid tumors – and access to Synaffix’s ADC platform technologies will ensure we remain at the leading edge of this space. This collaboration combining SOTIO’s deep expertise in solid tumor drug development with Synaffix’s clinical-stage platform technology will drive important new innovations for the benefit of patients.”
Synaffix was fully acquired by Lonza in June 2023 and represents a newly formed ‘Center of Excellence’ for bioconjugation. As a Lonza company, Synaffix will continue to operate under the Synaffix name and further expand its operations in Oss (NL) to cater for further innovation and growth.
About Synaffix
Synaffix B.V. is a biotechnology company that enables ADC product candidates using its clinical-stage, site-specific ADC technology platform based on GlycoConnect™, HydraSpace™ and toxSYN™, that together enable any company with an antibody to develop proprietary best-in-class ADC products under a single license from Synaffix.
The Synaffix platform enables a rapid timeline to clinic due to the established supply chain of technology components. Granted patents covering Synaffix’ technology provide end-to-end protection of the manufacturing technology as well as the resulting products through at least 2039. The business model of Synaffix is target-specific technology out-licensing, as exemplified through its existing deals with ADC Therapeutics, Mersana Therapeutics, Shanghai Miracogen (acquired by Lepu Biopharma), Innovent Biologics, ProfoundBio, Kyowa Kirin, Genmab, Macrogenics, Emergence Therapeutics (acquired by Eli Lilly), Amgen, Hummingbird Biosciences, Chong Kun Dang Pharma and ABL Bio.
Synaffix was fully acquired by Lonza in June 2023.
