AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – July 22, 2021 – Synaffix B.V., a biotechnology company focused on commercializing its clinical-stage platform technology that enables antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with best-in-class therapeutic index, today announced the signature of a license and option agreement with ProfoundBio, an emerging oncology biotherapeutics company.
The deal provides access to multiple novel linker-payload technologies developed by Synaffix and includes access to the GlycoConnect™ glycan conjugation and HydraSpace™ polar spacer technologies, both of which are known to optimize the therapeutic properties (efficacy and safety) of ADCs. Upon signature, ProfoundBio was granted non-exclusive license rights to deploy the above technologies for one therapeutic program that targets an undisclosed specific tumor associated antigen (TAA). Additionally, ProfoundBio retains license option rights to a second TAA that can be nominated later.
Under the terms of the agreement, Synaffix is eligible to receive upfront and potential milestone payments worth up to $246 million, plus tiered royalties on net sales. No further financial details are disclosed.
ProfoundBio will be responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the ADC products. Synaffix will closely support ProfoundBio’s research activities and be responsible for the manufacturing of components that are specifically related to its proprietary GlycoConnect™, and HydraSpace™ technologies.
Baiteng Zhao, CEO of ProfoundBio said:
“Selecting the right linker-payload for each ADC is critical for success. Through our collaboration with Synaffix, we can access multiple potent ADC linker-payloads and efficiently optimize the competitive position of our therapeutic pipeline.”
“With the solid experience and track record of our founding management team and a strong venture capital syndicate behind us, we are well positioned to rapidly progress multiple best-in-class and first-in-class ADC candidates to the clinic. We look forward to working closely with Synaffix to achieve this.”
Peter van de Sande, CEO of Synaffix said:
“This collaboration is another example of Synaffix’ proprietary technologies helping biotech and pharma companies optimize the competitive positions of their ADC pipelines.”
“The ProfoundBio team brings multiple decades of valuable ADC development experience from Seattle Genetics (now Seagen) and MSD. into our collaboration. We are looking forward to continuing our close collaboration with ProfoundBio on their emerging ADC portfolio and supporting the development of multiple ADCs into the clinic and beyond.”
