Orion Corporation has secured an exclusive commercial license to a monoclonal antibody developed by Abzena, targeting a cancer with high clinical unmet need. The agreement, announced October 23, 2025, will strengthen Orion's broad oncology-focused drug research and development pipeline.
Advanced Antibody Development Platform
The licensed monoclonal antibody was designed and developed at Abzena's Cambridge, UK, early phase R&D facility using the company's proprietary Composite Human Antibody (CHAb™) technology. This development utilized an integrated developability platform approach specifically designed to select superior lead candidates for clinical advancement.
Abzena's scientists conducted comprehensive screening of antibodies against multiple critical parameters, including functionality, safety, and manufacturability. This rigorous evaluation process aimed to identify a lead candidate free from risks that could potentially impact downstream development processes and ultimately affect clinical outcomes.
Manufacturing Excellence and Cell Line Development
The development process incorporated Abzena's AbZelectPRO™ cell line development (CLD) platform, which generated a highly stable and productive manufacturing cell line for the antibody. This platform represents a streamlined approach to creating robust manufacturing systems for therapeutic antibodies.
Campbell Bunce, Chief Scientific Officer of Abzena, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project: "We are delighted to have partnered with Orion on the design and development of our CHAb-designed mAb to support their extensive oncology-focused Research and Development pipeline. Using our uniquely integrated developability approach along with our streamlined AbZelectPRO™ CLD platform, we were able to design a de-risked lead antibody that offers Orion's program the best chances of success in the clinic."
Strategic Partnership Benefits
The collaboration reflects Orion's commitment to expanding its oncology portfolio through strategic partnerships. Antti Haapalinna, Vice President, External Science and Partnering, R&D at Orion Corporation, expressed satisfaction with the partnership results: "We are very satisfied with the excellent and transparent collaboration and the results it has delivered in our common antibody program."
Manufacturing Capabilities and Experience
Abzena brings over 20 years of experience in designing, developing, and manufacturing monoclonal antibody programs to this partnership. The company operates antibody development programs at facilities in Cambridge, UK, and San Diego, California, with downstream process development and GMP manufacturing activities conducted in the United States at scales up to 2,000 liters.
The company's comprehensive capabilities span from discovery through commercial launch, supporting customers with fully integrated programs or individual services designed to de-risk and streamline the development of new treatments. Abzena maintains research, development, and cGMP facilities across locations in San Diego, California, Bristol, Pennsylvania, and Cambridge, UK.
Company Profiles
Orion Corporation operates as a globally active Nordic pharmaceutical company with over a century of experience in healthcare. The company develops, manufactures, and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Orion maintains an extensive portfolio of proprietary and generic medicines and consumer health products, with core R&D therapy areas focused on oncology and pain management.
In 2024, Orion reported net sales of EUR 1,542 million and employed approximately 3,700 professionals worldwide. The company's proprietary products address various therapeutic areas including cancer, neurological diseases, and respiratory diseases. Orion's A and B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
Abzena positions itself as the leading end-to-end bioconjugate and complex biologics CDMO and CRO, owned by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, one of the world's leading private equity investors.
