Biotechnology company, Synaffix which was acquired in June 2023 by Lonza, will collaborate with clinical-stage immuno-oncology company SOTIO in a new licensing agreement to leverage antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) technology to treat solid tumours.

The platform does this by targeting antigens on cancer cells by using cytotoxic payloads directly on cancer cells while causing minimum damage to healthy tissue.

The arrangement will allow SOTIO to combine its proprietary antibodies with Synaffix’s ADC platform to develop three novel ADCs aimed at distinct tumour-associated antigens. It will also give SOTIO access to GlycoConnect, HydraSpace and Synaffix’s potent linker-payload platform.

Under the terms of the agreement, Synaffix will be eligible to receive an upfront payment of $740 million and single-digit royalties on net sales.

Commenting on the deal, Radek Spisek, CEO of SOTIO said: “This collaboration combining SOTIO’s deep expertise in solid tumour drug development with Synaffix’s clinical-stage platform technology will drive important new innovations for the benefit of patients.”

SOTIO asserts that it will continue to develop ADCs such as SOT 102, a CLDN18.2-targeting ADC in Phase 1/2 development for the treatment of gastric, pancreatic, and other cancers.

“Synaffix’s ADC technology perfectly complements the technologies already in SOTIO’s ADC platform, including the iADC technology licensed from NBE-Therapeutics and the ConjuALL technology licensed from LegoChem,” Martin Steegmaier, chief scientific officer of SOTIO said. “The addition of Synaffix’s capabilities will greatly expand our ability to select and tailor the most suitable ADC technology and payload for the needs of a particular target and particular solid tumour indication.”