DualityBio, Genentech Enter Global Deal To Develop Next-Gen ADCs

(RTTNews) - Duality Biotherapeutics, Inc. (9606.HK) on Friday announced that it has entered into a global collaboration and license agreement with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using DualityBio's proprietary DUPAC payload platform.

DUPAC is one of DualityBio's four proprietary ADC platforms and comprises payloads with novel mechanisms of action. The platform includes multiple payloads based on distinct antitumor mechanisms, paired with linker technologies designed for systemic stability and tumor-specific release.

According to DualityBio, the payloads are designed to have high potency, broad antitumor activity, short systemic half-life and a bystander effect, with the latter intended to address heterogeneous solid tumors.

Under the agreement, DualityBio will generate and develop ADCs against oncology targets selected by Genentech using payloads from the DUPAC platform.

DualityBio will lead discovery and early global clinical development, while Genentech will receive exclusive worldwide rights to the collaboration ADCs and assume responsibility for further clinical development and commercialization after Phase 1a.

DualityBio will receive an upfront payment of $45 million and is eligible for more than $1 billion in aggregate development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments across all collaboration programs, along with tiered royalties on annual net sales of approved products.

DualityBio's Chief Executive Officer John Zhu, said the collaboration is intended to address the growing need for treatment options for tumors that are resistant or refractory to topoisomerase inhibitor-based ADCs. The companies will combine DualityBio's DUPAC platform with Genentech's oncology development and commercialization capabilities.

9606.HK is trading up 2.71% at HK$200.80 on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.