Synaffix B.V., a biotechnology company focused on commercializing its clinical-stage platform technology for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with best-in-class therapeutic index, announces it has entered into a technology agreement with MacroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGNX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.
Under the licensing agreement, MacroGenics will gain access to Synaffix’s clinical stage GlycoConnect™ antibody conjugation technology, HydraSpace™ polar spacer technology, as well as select toxSYN™ linker-payloads (SYNtecan E™, SYNeamicin D™ and SYNeamicin G™), each designed to enable ADCs with best-in-class efficacy and tolerability. These will be combined with MacroGenics’ proprietary antibody and bispecific DART antibody platform technologies to generate next generation ADCs.
Under the terms of the agreement, Synaffix will be eligible to receive up to $586 million in payments spanning upfront and milestone payments across three programs plus royalties on commercial sales. The license rights of MacroGenics for each program will be designated as exclusive or non-exclusive to each program’s antibody target (or to the combination of two targets, if bispecific). The first program will commence at signature, with the option to expand the collaboration to a further two programs by March 2023.
MacroGenics will be responsible for research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the ADCs. At the same time, Synaffix will support MacroGenics’ research activities and be responsible for the manufacturing of components that are specifically related to its proprietary GlycoConnect™ and HydraSpace™ technologies and the toxSYN™ linker-payloads.