WuXi XDC Out-Licenses WuXiTecan-2 Payload-Linker Platform to Ona Therapeutics for First-in-Class ADC
核心洞察
WuXi XDC (搜索) has granted Ona Therapeutics (搜索) an exclusive worldwide license to its WuXiTecan-2 (搜索) payload-linker platform for a single-target ADC candidate.
The deal includes an upfront payment, development, regulatory and sales milestones, plus tiered royalties on net sales after commercialization.
WuXi XDC (搜索) will supply end-to-end CMC development and manufacturing support through its integrated ADC CRDMO platform to accelerate the candidate toward the clinic.
WuXi XDC (搜索) Cayman Inc. (2268.HK) has entered an out-licensing collaboration granting Ona Therapeutics (搜索) an exclusive global license to its proprietary WuXiTecan-2 (搜索) payload-linker technology platform for the development of an ADC candidate directed against a single target. The agreement, announced by the Shanghai-based contract research, development and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), pairs Ona's first-in-class target discovery capabilities with WuXi XDC's conjugation and payload-linker technology.
Under the terms of the deal, the total potential value includes an upfront payment together with certain development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. WuXi XDC (搜索) will additionally be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales upon commercialization of the resulting ADC product. The company will provide comprehensive chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) development and manufacturing support through its integrated ADC CRDMO platform, which the companies say is intended to accelerate the candidate toward clinical evaluation.
Second Collaboration Builds on 2024 Agreement
The transaction marks the second partnership between the two companies in the ADC field. Building on a 2024 collaboration in which Ona Therapeutics (搜索) licensed technologies to support its ADC pipeline, the new agreement reflects a continued strategic relationship and, according to WuXi XDC (搜索), Ona's confidence in the commercial value and global competitiveness of its proprietary technology platforms.
"This collaboration not only further validates the value of our WuXiTecan-2 (搜索) platform but also reaffirms WuXi XDC (搜索)'s commitment to empowering innovative biotech companies worldwide," said Jimmy Li, Ph.D., CEO of WuXi XDC. He noted that the platform's hydrophilic linker delivers significantly enhanced ADC stability and has now completed two out-licensing deals within just six months. "Through our integrated, end-to-end CRDMO platform, we look forward to fully supporting Ona Therapeutics (搜索) in accelerating this first-in-class ADC candidate into the clinic, bringing new treatment options to patients."
Ona Therapeutics (搜索)' CEO, Valerie Vanhooren, Ph.D., described the renewed partnership as an important step in advancing the company's pipeline. "Our previous collaboration established a strong foundation, and we are pleased to build on that relationship as we work to accelerate this promising program toward the clinic with the aim of making a meaningful difference for patients with cancer," she said.
Targeting Treatment-Resistant Cancers
Ona Therapeutics (搜索) is a spin-off from IRB Barcelona and ICREA, based at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), and describes itself as a biopharmaceutical company pioneering first-in-class antibody-drug conjugates to address treatment-resistant cancers (搜索). The company applies a patient-driven discovery platform to identify novel tumor-specific antigens and epitopes associated with resistance biology and advanced disease.
Its approach integrates biological insight with target validation, antibody engineering, optimized payload selection and validated linker-payload technologies to generate precision-engineered ADCs intended to enhance therapeutic activity while limiting on-target toxicity. The company's pipeline comprises first-in-class programs targeting aggressive and refractory cancer indications.
WuXi XDC (搜索), listed on the Hong Kong exchange under stock code 2268.HK, positions itself as a CRDMO specializing in bioconjugates, offering conjugation and payload-linker technologies for next-generation ADCs. Its services span antibody intermediates and other biologics intermediates, chemical payloads and linkers, and bioconjugate drug substances and drug products, covering preclinical through commercial manufacturing.
The company noted that rapid adoption of the hydrophilic WuXiTecan-2 (搜索) linker — now the subject of two out-licensing deals within six months — highlights the platform's stability advantages and commercial competitiveness. Financial terms beyond the disclosed structure of upfront, milestone and royalty payments were not specified.