Affitech achieves second milestone in Roche antibody discovery collaboration

Affitech said that it has successfully used its molecule based antibody screening system that included its proprietary antibody library and high throughput screening technology to identify several fully human lead antibody candidates. These were then subjected to further engineering in order to generate final candidates that met Roche’s various predetermined success criteria. This accomplishment triggered a milestone payment of an undisclosed amount from Roche to Affitech.

Previously, Affitech and Roche entered into a collaboration for Affitech to identify and engineer fully human recombinant antibodies against one of Roche’s oncology targets.

Martin Welschof, CEO of Affitech, said: “This was a particularly challenging target that Roche asked us to investigate and we are delighted to have delivered a selected group of antibodies, on schedule, that meet their exacting criteria.”