China-based GeneQuantum Healthcare has unveiled a new agreement to expand its existing partnership with South Korea-based biotech firm Aimed Bio. The collaboration will see the two companies jointly develop up to five novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC) drugs, with the specific molecular and disease targets undisclosed. This expansion follows last year’s partnership focused on the development of the FGFR-targeted ADC, GQ1011/AMB302. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Positive Preclinical Results Drive Partnership Expansion
GeneQuantum’s decision to broaden its partnership with Aimed Bio comes on the heels of positive preclinical results achieved with GQ1011. These early data were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference, demonstrating the molecule’s potential in bladder cancer and glioblastoma in vivo models. Aimed Bio, a spin-off from Samsung Medical Centre, was encouraged to expand its partnership with GeneQuantum based on these promising results.
GeneQuantum’s ADC Expertise and LDC Technology Platform
GeneQuantum is a specialist in ADC development, with its Ligase Dependent Conjugation (LDC) technology platform enabling site-specific conjugation of cytotoxins or other types of payloads to antibodies. The company boasts a pipeline of over 10 assets, with several at or approaching clinical trials. This new deal is the latest affirmation of GeneQuantum’s capabilities in the ADC space. Since 2018, the company has established several ADC-focused development partnerships, including with BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology Co., Ltd (SHA: 688166) in 2021, and with South Korea’s Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940) in 2020.-Fineline Info & Tech
