Xencor licenses Xtend protein half-life extension technology to CSL

As per the agreement, CSL will leverage Xtend half-life extension technology in a program with known target.

CSL will make an upfront payment in addition to preclinical, clinical, regulatory and sales milestone payments besides sales based royalties to Xencor.

Xencor chief executive officer Bassil Dahiyat said, "CSL’s selection of Xencor’s technology reflects the significant interest we have seen in the use of our Xtend platform for enhancing next-generation protein and antibody drug candidates."

Xencor’s Xtend technology brings minor changes to the protein sequence to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of protein drug candidates.

CSL research senior vice president Andrew Nash said, "Incorporating Xencor’s Xtend technology into CSL’s drug development aligns with our approach of applying breakthrough science to the development of therapeutics for life-threatening conditions."