WuXi Biologics has just signed an exclusive license agreement with GSK that grants them access to preclinical bi-specific T cell engaging (TCE) antibodies, with the option of three additional bi-/multi-specific TCE antibodies developed using WuXi Biologics’ proprietary technology platforms. To sweeten the deal, WuXi Biologics will also receive an upfront payment of $40 million and tiered royalties on net sales.
WuXi Biologics (2269. HK), a global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization, has signed an exclusive license agreement with GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK). Under the agreement, GSK will have access to up to four cutting-edge bi- & multi-specific TCE antibodies developed with WuXi Biologics’ revolutionary technology platforms. This marks an exciting new chapter in the companies’ collaboration, as they strive to bring innovative treatments to patients around the world.
GSK and WuXi Biologics have entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a pre-clinical bispecific antibody that utilizes tumor cells and T cells to cross-link and target a tumor-associated antigen. In exchange for this license, GSK will pay WuXi Biologics an upfront fee of $40 million and up to $1.46 billion in additional payments across four TCE antibodies. On top of this, WuXi Biologics will be eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.
Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, expressed his excitement about the license agreement with GSK, stating that it represents a major endorsement of their cutting-edge CD3 platform and WuXiBody® platform. These open-access technology offerings come with premier quality and excellent execution, and Dr. Chen is confident that this partnership will enable GSK to bring potentially life-saving therapeutics to more patients around the world.
“GSK is excited to announce our agreement with WuXi Biologics, which provides us with access to potential best-in-class T-cell engaging antibodies for tumor cell targeting,” said John Lepore, Senior Vice President and Head of Research at GSK. “These antibodies have been optimized for effective tumor killing, while also offering a desirable safety profile. We believe this agreement can help us address significant unmet medical needs in patients with multiple tumor types.”
About WuXiBody®
WuXiBody® is a revolutionary bispecific antibody platform developed by WuXi Biologics that is designed to break through the traditional discovery and CMC barriers that have been preventing the development of many bispecific antibodies. This platform allows for high expression yields, superior stability, improved solubility, and easy purification to homogeneity, cutting the process by 6-18 months and significantly reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, this platform provides flexibility in structural design, enabling various formats with different combinations of valencies (1+1, 1+2, 2+2) to meet the requirements of different target biology, while also providing low immunogenicity risk and a longer in vivo half-life.
WuXi Biologics has developed an impressive suite of proprietary bispecific and multispecific antibody platforms, including WuXiBody®, VHH antibody-based SDArBodyTM, and stabilized scFv-based SkyBodyTM. In addition, thanks to a collaboration with Ligand, the company has access to OmniFlic® rats, which can be used to generate common light chain-based bispecific antibodies. These platforms are essential to supporting the development of assets in the GSK license agreement and meeting the various biology needs of the company’s clients.
About WuXi Biologics
WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) is a world-leading CRDMO that is revolutionizing the biologics industry. Our end-to-end solutions empower our partners to bring groundbreaking treatments from concept to commercialization, helping to create a brighter future for patients around the globe.
WuXi Biologics has a global presence that is bolstered by its 10,000 strong workforce across China, the United States, Ireland, Germany and Singapore. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled expertise, WuXi Biologics provides customers with comprehensive biologics discovery, development and manufacturing solutions that are both efficient and cost-effective.
At WuXi Biologics, we take our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities seriously and strive to be an ESG leader in the biologics CRDMO sector. Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art biomanufacturing technologies and clean-energy sources, and our CEO leads an ESG committee to ensure our sustainability commitment is upheld. We are proud to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.