Deal includes an enhanced phage-display library.

Japan-based Kaketsuken has inked a deal with Xoma to accelerate its antibody-development programs for $8 million up front. The institute gains access to multiple antibody R&D technologies including a new antibody phage-display library and a suite of integrated information- and data-management systems.

Xoma’s new library is being developed to overcome existing limitations in library design by combining high-diversity techniques with its technologies. The aim is to enable the selection of antibodies with specific and high-affinity binding and potency characteristics to an antigen of choice.

Kaketsuken will also pay milestone fees and royalties on product sales. “Antibody technologies are increasingly important in the development of novel therapeutics for a wide range of diseases so it is essential to find the best technologies and partners to maximize the chances for success,” notes Hiroshi Mizokami, executive director of Kaketsuken.

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