WuXi XDC, a CRDMO, agreed to collaborate with Earendil Labs on WuXi XDC’s WuXiTecan-2 payload-linker technology platform. The partnership is aimed at accelerating the development of next-gen ADCs by combining WuXi XDC’s ADC platform with Earendil Labs’ AI-driven antibody discovery and development capabilities to address significant unmet medical needs, say both companies.
WuXi XDC will grant Earendil Labs an exclusive global license to its proprietary technology for use against multiple specific targets. Earendil Labs plans to utilize this method to conjugate antibodies and bispecific antibodies discovered through its AI platform and to advance the development of the ADC candidates against these targets.
The total potential deal value could reach up to approximately $885 million, comprising an upfront payment, and certain development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments. Additionally, WuXi XDC will be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales upon commercialization of any resulting ADC products.
WuXi XDC will also support the chemical, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) development and manufacturing of the ADC components within the collaboration. Earendil Labs will focus on subsequent product development, global regulatory submissions, and commercialization.
“Earendil Labs has generated bispecific antibodies with differentiated advantages using its unique AI platform,” said Jimmi Li, PhD, CEO of WuXi XDC. “We look forward to supporting Earendil Labs in accelerating the R&D and commercialization of their ADCs through our integrated, end-to-end CRDMO service platform, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.”
“ADCs are emerging as a promising class of therapeutics in the treatment of cancer and many other human diseases,” added Zhenping Zhu, MD, PhD, president and co-CEO of Earendil Labs. “We are developing a rich pipeline of bispecific/multi-specific ADCs with our AI and high-throughput biology plaforms. We believe WuXiTecan-2 payload-linker technology will significantly enhance the success rate and speed of our novel ADC development.”