ProBioGen grants license of GlymaxX ADCC enhancement technology to Merus

Under the deal, ProBioGen is granting Merus the non-exclusive right to use the GlymaxX technology to improve the ADCC (Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity) activity of one of its lead products, which is a bispecific anti-cancer antibody.

Both the firms have not disclosed the financial details of the license deal, which is covering clinical development and production.

Intended for the production of afucosylated antibodies and proteins, the GlymaxX technology is based on the stable integration of a heterologous enzyme into any antibody producer cell line, leading to the interference with the cells’ intracellular fucose biosynthesis pathway.

The GlymaxX technology, which is intended for the production of afucosylated antibodies and proteins, is based on the stable integration of a heterologous enzyme into any antibody producer cell line, leading to the interference with the cells’ intracellular fucose biosynthesis pathway.

ProBioGen chief scientific officer Volker Sandig said the company is very satisfied to see its GlymaxX technology being applied to Merus’ promising bispecific cancer antibody candidate.

"This underlines the superiority of our ADCC enhancement technology and its ability to deliver smart and flexible solutions for optimized biopharmaceutical products," Sandig said.

"We are convinced that our GlymaxX technology will make a significant contribution to develop powerful new antibodies against any diseases in which enhanced ADCC activity translates into therapeutic benefit."

Merus chief scientific officer Mark Throsby said, "The GlymaxX technology substantially improves the ADCC activity of one of our lead bispecific antibodies for the treatment of solid tumors so that it further enhances the tumor cell killing capacity of an already very potent molecule."