AGC Biologics has announced a strategic multi-phase partnership with South Korean clinical-stage biotech company Novelty Nobility Inc. to advance development of a novel bispecific antibody drug candidate. The collaboration will utilize AGC Biologics' proprietary CHEF1 expression technology for cell line development and Phase I clinical trial preparations across facilities in Copenhagen, Denmark and Chiba, Japan.
The partnership, which began in March, will initially focus on cell line development and master cell bank (MCB) creation at AGC Biologics' Copenhagen facility. Following successful MCB establishment, the project will transition to the company's Chiba site for expanded process development work and GMP manufacturing preparation.
Advancing Novel Antibody Therapeutics
Novelty Nobility specializes in developing innovative antibody drugs, including bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The South Korean biotech currently has two clinical assets under development in the United States targeting immunology and oncology indications.
"We are very happy with the partnership with Novelty Nobility, where we will apply our CHEF1 platform to a novel bispecific antibody, helping support the advancement of this important candidate towards clinical trials," said Kasper Møller, Chief Technical Officer and Executive Vice President at AGC Biologics. "Our cell line development expertise in Copenhagen is strategically aligned with Novelty Nobility's objectives, and we believe we can provide a strong foundation for their therapeutic development program."
Leveraging Proven Expression Technology
The partnership will utilize AGC Biologics' CHEF1 expression technology, which has established itself as a reliable platform for cell line development across various biologics. The platform has contributed to five commercial products currently on the market and has been used to develop 54 distinct molecules.
A key advantage of the CHEF1 platform is its royalty-free status, eliminating additional costs for clients as their products progress through clinical phases toward commercialization. The technology is particularly effective for complex molecules, providing specialized expression systems for challenging biologics.
Multi-Site Collaboration Strategy
AGC Biologics' approach to this partnership highlights its global network strategy, combining specialized expertise from different facilities to create a seamless experience for clients.
"Chiba's partnership with our Copenhagen team gives Novelty Nobility access to world-class cell line development experts while keeping their regional connection strong," noted Susumu Zen-in, Senior Vice President and General Manager at AGC Biologics Chiba. "When clients work with us, they tap into our entire global network – we find the right expertise wherever it exists and bring teams together for a seamless experience, no matter where the work is being done."
This collaborative approach is designed to leverage AGC Biologics' global capabilities while maintaining strong regional connections, particularly important for clients in the Asia-Pacific region.
Technical Development Pathway
The development process will follow a structured pathway beginning with cell line development in Copenhagen. AGC Biologics will create a master cell bank for Novelty Nobility's bispecific antibody candidate using their proprietary expression technology.
Once the MCB is established, the project will transition to expanded process development work and GMP manufacturing preparation at the Chiba facility. This sequential approach allows for specialized expertise at each stage while maintaining continuity throughout the development process.
The partnership represents a significant step forward for Novelty Nobility's therapeutic pipeline, potentially accelerating the path to Phase I clinical trials for their bispecific antibody candidate.
