Novimmune and LegoChem evaluate antibody drug conjugate candidate

Swiss biotech company Novimmune and South Korean-based LegoChem Biosciences (LCB) have entered a research collaboration to evaluate an antibody drug conjugate candidate.

LCB has been developing partnerships worldwide through the potential of its ADC platform technology.

The company out-licensed an anti-Her2-ADC molecule to Fosun Pharma in 2015.

In January this year, a research licensing deal was signed with Takeda in a bid to evaluate next-generation ADC candidates.

Novimmune chairman and CEO Eduard Holdener said: "Our antibody expertise, married with LCB’s proprietary ADC technology, supports our quest to provide better options to cancer patients."

ADCs only target cancer cells and spare healthy cells, and are molecules composed of a tumour specific monoclonal antibody linked to a cytotoxic agent.

Last month, Novimmune and Tiziana Life Sciences (TILS) had signed a second collaboration agreement, as part of which the latter secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialise its anti-IL-6R monoclonal antibody, NI-1201.

Tiziana proposes to explore the development of the antibody in non-alcoholic steato hepatitis (NASH), diabetes and other life threatening inflammatory diseases, as well as foralumab (NI-0401).

Novimmune focuses on the discovery and development of antibody-based drugs, and is engaged in the field of targeted therapies with its anti-CD47 / anti-CD19 and anti-CD47 / anti-mesothelin bispecific antibodies that bind to hematological and solid tumours, respectively.

The company aims to develop drugs for the targeted treatment of inflammatory diseases, immune-related disorders, as well as cancer.