Abzena signs manufacturing and bioconjugation deal with Telix

The agreements have a combined value of $5.9 million and these projects are expected to be substantially completed within a 15-month period.

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and commercialization of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic use.

Under the terms of the agreements, Abzena will progress two PSMA-targeting monoclonal antibodies for the purposes of targeted treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

This agreement builds on the July 2017 announcement in which it was disclosed that Abzena had granted a license to specific antibody-related IP that has been incorporated into Telix’s PSMA radiopharmaceutical program, which, subject to successful development, could deliver significant licence fees and milestone payments to Abzena over its lifetime.

On completion of cell line development, currently being performed by Abzena using its Composite CHO platform, the research cell banks for both antibodies will be transferred to Abzena’s San Diego facility for further process development, generation of master cell banks and scale-up for manufacturing up to 500L utilizing Abzena’s recently upgraded biomanufacturing platform.

Abzena will also develop a bioconjugation process for one of the antibodies. The bioconjugation process and analytical development will be performed in Cambridge, UK before the process is transferred to Abzena’s GMP manufacturing facility in San Diego for clinical batch production.

More than 1.1 million cases of prostate cancer were recorded in 2012, accounting for around 8 percent of all new cancer cases and 15 percent in men. It is one of the four most common cancers occurring worldwide, with a significant unmet clinical need.

The global market for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer was expected to reach $50.3 billion in 2017.

Abzena CEO John Burt said: “Taking forward another clinical product containing Abzena’s intellectual property, including through to GMP manufacturing, demonstrates the scope of Abzena’s integrated offering, with all our business areas providing scientific expertise and input as well as use of our proprietary technologies.

“Our upgraded capabilities in San Diego will enable us to quickly scale-up production of this product. It is very pleasing for our technology and expertise to be involved in a project with great potential in such an important disease area.”

Telix Pharmaceuticals CEO Christian Behrenbruch said: “Taking these products through to the next stage of manufacturing development is a milestone for us and Abzena is a trusted partner with proven expertise and a strong track record. Our aim is to deliver the next generation of highly-targeted radiation oncology therapy, focusing on prostate cancer as an area of critical need.

“This agreement with Abzena is key to us achieving that aim, expanding on our collective technologies to create and manufacture an effective and optimized PSMA antibody-directed radiation product.”

Source: Company Press Release