- Agreement grants access to Synaffix patent portfolio related
to metal-free click chemistry
- Technology to be used in Illumina's next-generation
sequencing (NGS) products
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 4, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Synaffix B.V., a Lonza company (SIX:LONN) focused
on commercializing its clinical-stage bioconjugation platform
technology for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
with best-in-class therapeutic index and beyond, today announced it
has entered into a licensing agreement with Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:
ILMN), a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based
technologies. The agreement grants Illumina access to Synaffix's
patented metal-free click chemistry technology.
Synaffix's patented metal-free click chemistry will be used in
relation to certain Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS)
products.
Floris van Delft, Head of Research and Development at
Synaffix, said: "At Synaffix, we are deploying a
superior probe, bicyclononyne (BCN), for metal-free click chemistry
for the highly selective generation of site-specific and stable
antibody-drug conjugates for targeted treatment of cancer. There
are also many other therapeutic applications and beyond, such as
diagnostics and materials science, that can benefit from the unique
chemical coupling properties of BCN. This transaction with Illumina
serves as a testament to our ongoing commitment to deploy our
innovative technologies in such new areas as we contribute towards
making large-scale, whole-genome sequencing more
accessible."
Notes to Editors
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®
technologies, that together enable any company with an antibody to
develop potentially 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. Synaffix
holds granted patents to its technology. 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 (acquired by Genmab),
Kyowa Kirin, Genmab, Macrogenics, Amgen, Hummingbird Biosciences,
Chong Kun Dang Pharma, ABL Bio, SOTIO Biotech, BigHat Biosciences
and Kivu Bioscience.
Synaffix was fully acquired by Lonza in June 2023.
About The Synaffix ADC Platform Technology
Synaffix's proprietary ADC technology platform consists of
clinical-stage GlycoConnect®, HydraSpace® and toxSYN® technologies.
These technologies are aimed at enabling best-in-class ADCs from
any antibody, with significantly enhanced efficacy and
tolerability.
GlycoConnect® conjugation technology exploits the native
antibody glycan for site-specific and stable payload attachment and
is tunable to any DAR format between 1 and 8. HydraSpace®
compact and highly polar spacer technology further enhances
therapeutic index, particularly with hydrophobic payloads. The
toxSYN® linker-payload platform spans key, validated MOAs for ADC
development, including potent topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (SYNtecan
E™), DNA damaging agents (SYNeamicin D™ and SYNeamicin G™) and
microtubule inhibitors (SYNtansine™, SYNstatin E™ and SYNstatin
F™). Several unlaunched proprietary linker-payloads are being
generated through the ongoing innovative efforts of the Synaffix
R&D team.
For example, the newest proprietary linker-payload SYN-PNU™
represents a significantly potency-attenuated and better tolerated
version of PNU-159,687 (a nemorubicin metabolite), designed with
the objective to enable enhanced administered dose levels and
competitive therapeutic properties versus ADCs loaded with the
original PNU molecule.
The combination of these three technologies provides developers
with a "one stop" and easy-to-use ADC technology platform, allowing
any antibody developer to develop its own proprietary ADC and any
ADC developer to expand its pipeline further and increase its
competitive position.
About Lonza
Lonza is a preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical,
biotech and nutrition markets. We work to enable a healthier world
by supporting our customers to deliver new and innovative medicines
that help treat a wide range of diseases. We achieve this by
combining technological insight with world-class manufacturing,
scientific expertise and process excellence. Our business is
structured to meet our customers' complex needs across four
divisions: Biologics, Small Molecules, Cell & Gene and Capsules
& Health Ingredients. Our unparalleled breadth of offerings
across divisions enables our customers to commercialize their
discoveries and innovations in the healthcare industry. Lonza's
ambition is to improve the lives of patients by supporting and
enabling our customers on the path to commercialization.
Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, today, Lonza operates across
five continents. With approximately 17,500 full-time employees, we
comprise high-performing teams and individual talent who make a
meaningful difference to our own business, as well as to the
communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of
CHF 3.1 billion with a CORE EBITDA of
CHF 922 million in Half-Year 2023.
Find out more at www.lonza.com
Follow @Lonza on LinkedIn
Follow @LonzaGroup on Twitter
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