Novartis (NYSE: NVS), a leading Swiss pharmaceutical company, has entered into a strategic collaboration with California-based biotech firm Dren Bio Inc. to leverage Dren’s expertise in developing bispecific antibodies for cancer treatment. Under this agreement, Novartis is particularly interested in utilizing Dren’s proprietary Targeted Myeloid Engager and Phagocytosis Platform.
As part of the deal, Novartis will make an upfront payment of USD 150 million, which includes a USD 25 million equity investment in Dren. Additionally, Novartis has committed to potential further payments of up to USD 2.85 billion based on development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on future net sales. The collaboration will see Dren and Novartis working together on selected targeted myeloid engager programs in oncology and the selection of clinical candidates. Following this collaborative phase, Novartis will take over full responsibility for subsequent development, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercialization activities.
Novartis aims to harness the unique capabilities of Dren’s platform, which utilizes bispecific antibody technology to induce the depletion of pathogenic cells and disease-causing agents by engaging a novel phagocytic receptor selectively expressed on myeloid cells. The resulting bispecific antibodies are designed to activate myeloid cells in a controlled manner only in the presence of the target antigen. This approach is expected to yield improved therapeutic indices and superior safety profiles compared to existing treatment modalities such as T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).- Flcube.com
