AbTherx, Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in innovative transgenic technologies for antibody discovery, has announced strategic partnerships with both Rondo Therapeutics and Spice Biotechnologies to accelerate the development of next-generation cancer immunotherapies.
Strategic Partnerships to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy
The Mountain View-based company will leverage its proprietary Atlas™ Mouse platform technologies to deliver antibodies against targets selected by both Rondo Therapeutics and Spice Biotechnologies. These collaborations specifically utilize AbTherx's novel, patent-pending Atlas Binary Fixed Light Chain Mouse technology, which enables the development of native-like IgG bispecific antibodies with improved manufacturability and developability characteristics.
"We are excited to partner with the seasoned entrepreneurs and exceptional scientists at Rondo Therapeutics who have deep experience developing immune cell engaging bispecific antibodies," said Justin Mika, Chief Executive Officer of AbTherx. "AbTherx's antibody discovery technologies and capabilities complement Rondo's therapeutic expertise in immuno-oncology to provide an advantage that we believe will help bring new medicines to patients faster."
Technology Platform Driving Innovation
AbTherx's antibody discovery platform is built on two decades of experience and utilizes evolutionary intelligence to identify diverse and developable human antibody sequences. The Atlas Binary Fixed Light Chain Mouse includes two fixed light chain options with optimized heavy-light chain pairing, which streamlines bispecific antibody engineering and increases hit rates through an expanded antibody repertoire.
For the Spice Biotechnologies collaboration, AbTherx will also employ its Atlas Full Human Diversity Mouse, described as an updated industry standard with strong intellectual property protection that generates fully human antibodies with the affinity and diversity required for efficient drug development.
Focus on Solid Tumor Treatment
Rondo Therapeutics is focused on treating solid tumors that fail to respond to current therapies. Their approach centers on creating a new class of bispecific antibodies that safely engage the immune system to initiate and sustain robust anti-tumor responses while overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment.
The partnership with Spice Biotechnologies carries particular significance due to the company's founder, Alan J. Korman, a globally recognized leader in immunology and cancer research with over 30 years of experience in drug development. Dr. Korman previously worked with AbTherx cofounders at Medarex and Bristol Myers Squibb to develop groundbreaking immune checkpoint inhibitors YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and OPDIVO® (nivolumab).
"Over the last 20 years, the Spice Bio team has had an incredible track record of creating successful life-saving drugs in partnership with some of our AbTherx cofounders. Because of this long, productive history, we are particularly excited to partner with Dr. Korman again in his new venture to create the next generation of immunotherapy drugs," noted Mika.
Commercial Terms and Market Impact
Under the terms of both agreements, Rondo Therapeutics and Spice Biotechnologies have the right to develop and commercialize therapeutic antibodies resulting from their respective collaborations. AbTherx will receive research payments and is eligible for downstream clinical and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales of products.
These partnerships add to AbTherx's growing portfolio of collaborations, with the company reporting over 50 initiated programs across more than a dozen partners in just the past nine months. Their client base spans from top 10 pharmaceutical companies to virtual startups, highlighting the versatility and appeal of their platform.
Addressing Unmet Medical Needs
The development of bispecific antibodies represents a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy, potentially offering new treatment options for patients with solid tumors who don't respond to existing therapies. By combining AbTherx's innovative antibody discovery technologies with the therapeutic expertise of Rondo and Spice Bio, these collaborations aim to overcome current limitations in cancer treatment.
AbTherx's commitment to making its technologies accessible through flexible partnering models that accommodate drug developers of all sizes further underscores the potential impact of these collaborations on advancing novel cancer therapies to patients in need.
