South Korean biotechnology company Qurient has entered into a licensing agreement with Synaffix, a subsidiary of Lonza, to develop a novel dual-payload antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that combines Qurient's CDK7 inhibitor with Synaffix's exatecan-based technology. The collaboration, announced on September 25, represents a first-in-class approach using CDK7 inhibition as a dual payload in ADC development.
Novel Dual-Payload Approach
The dual-payload ADC is designed to deliver two payloads with different mechanisms of action to targeted cancer cells, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and mitigating payload resistance. According to OncologyPipeline, no other company is currently using a CDK7 inhibitor as a dual payload ADC, with only one preclinical study published evaluating such an approach.
This therapeutic strategy is particularly promising for patients with refractory cancers, as it has the potential to expand the scope of existing treatments while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues. The collaboration aims to address unmet medical needs in the solid tumor field by combining Qurient's CDK7 inhibitor mocaciclib with Synaffix's established ADC platform technology.
Partnership Structure and Technology Integration
Under the terms of the agreement, Qurient will utilize Synaffix's site-specific ADC platform technology and exatecan-based linker-payload technology. The partnership also includes support from Lonza, which possesses market-leading development capabilities and manufacturing expertise in antibody conjugation technology.
Lonza will be responsible for producing elements related to Synaffix's proprietary technology, while Qurient will oversee the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the ADC, as well as the production of its own CDK7 inhibitor.
Executive Perspectives
Nam Kiyeon, CEO of Qurient, emphasized the transformative potential of the technology, stating, "The dual payload ADC is a technology that will open a new horizon for targeted antibody therapies. We look forward to successfully advancing the novel combination of our CDK7 inhibitor with Synaffix's SYNtecan™ linker-payload."
He further noted the broader applications possible through the collaboration: "The combination of Qurient's proprietary technology and Synaffix's industry-leading platform has the potential to be applied to a broader range of targets and antibodies. We will continue to explore these possibilities going forward."
Peter van de Sande, CEO of Synaffix, highlighted the versatility of their platform, commenting, "This licensing collaboration with Qurient is an important example that demonstrates the high versatility of our industry-leading ADC platform technology. Enabling the development of dual payload ADCs built on Synaffix's technology reflects our ongoing efforts to drive innovation in the ADC field."
Company Backgrounds and Pipeline Context
Qurient is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Korea, focused on developing innovative therapies in oncology and infectious diseases. The company's key pipeline includes Q901, a CDK7 inhibitor targeting transcription-addicted cancers; Q702, an AXL/MER/CSF1R inhibitor under development for tumors and chronic graft-versus-host disease; and Q203 (telacebec), a first-in-class antibiotic for refractory mycobacterial diseases.
Notably, mocaciclib is separately in clinical testing in combination with Keytruda and will now be explored as an ADC payload in this new collaboration.
Synaffix operates as a clinical-stage ADC platform company that enables organizations with antibodies to develop proprietary ADCs through single technology licensing agreements. The company's robust supply chain is designed to shorten timelines to clinical entry.
For Synaffix, this deal adds to a growing portfolio of partnerships featuring its ADC platform, following earlier collaborations with companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim and Elevation Oncology.
Lonza, one of the world's leading contract development and manufacturing organizations with more than 19,000 employees across five continents, reported sales of 3.6 billion Swiss francs and an adjusted EBITDA of 1.1 billion Swiss francs in the first half of this year.
