UK contribution to ADCs
Those working in the antibody-drug conjugate field are familiar with the interdependent nature of the modality and what is needed to optimise all the constituent parts. As well as drug developers working on next generation novel payloads, linkers and antibodies, this ADC synergy extends further to global interconnected supply chains.
With the recent flurry of successful ADCs approvals, the spotlight is certainly burning brighter for ADCs on these global efforts that continue to drive the field in exciting directions. Following the recent news that so far this year GBP2.39 billion has been raised in UK life sciences, which is on the cusp of a golden age, I was reflecting on how some UK companies are contributing to ADC development.
Just this week BiVictriX announced their intention to float on AIM to support the development of their bispecific technology platform for ADCs. Spirogen pioneered the development of novel ADC payloads with their PBD dimers resulting in its acquisition by AZ, also leading to the spin-out company ADC Therapeutics who have successfully developed the 10th approved ADC Zynlonta™. Femtogenix are developing their next generation ADC payloads with a range of potencies, and Celltrion’s investment in Iksuda in its recently closed $47 million financing round is based on their conjugation technology coupled with a continued expansion of their collaboration with LegoChemBio.
Spirea is building a high drug-antibody ratio (DAR) linker technology and made a recent funding announcement to commercialise this platform for next-generation ADCs. Antikor is developing their OptiLink™ technology platform that uses antibody fragments as a novel delivery vector, and using even smaller binders is recently IPO’d Bicycle Therapeutics who are developing peptide conjugates with a healthy early stage clinical pipeline.
Contract research and manufacturers in the ADC space continue to demonstrate growth, and UK big pharmaceuticals are clearly a big part of this strong ADC ecosystem with AZ and GSK helping to lead the way with marketed products. The 2020’s as the decade of ADCs continues to mature and expand, and it seems that the UK’s contribution is continuing to expand with it.
ADCs 