Lonza is to provide Genmab with development and cGMP manufacturing expertise for the latter’s preclinical-stage anticancer antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate targeting tissue factor (TF). Under terms of the deal Lonza will carry out process development and cGMP manufacturing for Genmab’s fully human HuMax-TF™ antibody, which is expressed in Lonza’s GS Gene Expression System. Lonza will then conjugate the naked antibody at its ADC plant to generate the final antibody-drug conjugate.
The HuMax-TF ADC is currently undergoing preclinical development in collaboration with Seattle Genetics, which has provided the ADC technology. Under terms of the deal Seattle retains opt-in rights to the anti-TF ADC, and also an anti-CD74 ADC program, at completion of Phase I clinical trials.
Seattle’s technology combines highly potent cell-killing auristatins, with stable linkers that attach the cytotoxic drug to the antibody.