Adimab, GSK expand collaboration for new bispecific antibodies

As part of the deal, Adimab will build a new custom library and transfer it to GSK for its internal use in the discovery of bispecifics.

The new library and Adimab’s existing technology will be used to discover antibodies against multiple targets and generate bispecific antibodies against combinations of those targets.

GSK will now have the right to develop and commercialize therapeutic bispecifics generated from the library.

Adimab CEO and co-founder Tillman Gerngross said: "The Adimab platform can identify highly specialized functional IgGs, and incorporate them rapidly into stable, well-expressing bispecific leads.

"Further, the Adimab platform is a protein engineering tool that allows us to optimize molecules in virtually any bispecific format."

In the last five years, Adimab has established funded discovery collaborations with more than 25 companies including Merck, Roche, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Gilead, Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Celgene.

GSK head of Biopharmaceutical Research Neil Brewis said: "GSK has an interest in rapidly assessing biology from bispecific molecules with various target combinations, and the Adimab platform fully provides us with the quality and speed we need.

"Our existing collaboration has been highly productive, and this expansion reflects our appreciation of Adimab’s capabilities and collaborative approach."

Additionally, Adimab has transferred its platform for broad use to GSK, Biogen Idec and Novo Nordisk.