Abzena, Alira Health and Oncodesign Launch DRIVE-Biologics

Abzena, a partner research organization for integrated services from discovery through to clinical and commercial manufacturing for biologics and bioconjugates, Alira Health, an international patient-centric and technology-enabled advisory firm whose mission is to humanize healthcare, and Oncodesign, a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to precision medicine, have in partnership launched DRIVE-Biologics, a consortium designed to offer their partners synergy and expertise in their biologics drug discovery and development programs.

This joint service offering, DRIVE-Biologics, will leverage Abzena’s strength in design and developability, and cell line development through to commercial manufacturing of biologics, alongside Oncodesign’s pharmacology expertise in oncology and inflammatory diseases, and Alira Health’s full spectrum of services including research and clinical development solutions, technology-powered consulting and real-world evidence.

There is a growing demand for biologic medicines and expert services to support their development. This collaboration, combining industry leadership in fields including design and developability, proof of concept in preclinical pharmacology and pharmaco-imaging, toxicology and clinical design through to commercial manufacturing, will streamline information sharing and program deliverables to help de-risk biologics development. Partners will be able to access expertise at all stages of the drug discovery and development processes including design, pre-clinical, clinical and CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and control).

“We are delighted to formalize our relationship with Oncodesign and extend it to Alira Health to bring our partners access to therapeutic innovation,” said Campbell Bunce, chief scientific officer, Abzena. “Our shared mission to put patients at the center of all that we do means we are continuing to innovate and drive effective therapies to align to the needs of our partners.”

Daniela Sica, vice president, business development, pharma and biotech, Alira Health, said, “We are very proud to collaborate with Oncodesign and Abzena and bring our expertise to the DRIVE-Biologics consortium, harnessing and leveraging our mutual skills, as we believe it is fundamental to stay close and accompany early-stage companies throughout their development path toward the next-generation medicines.”

Fabrice Viviani, head of Oncodesign service business unit, said, “We are particularly thrilled to start this new partnership with Abzena and Alira Health to provide our customers with a premium integrated service for the discovery and development of novel biological agents to treat cancers and debilitating chronic inflammatory diseases. Our common patient-centric derived approaches and technologies will create a one-stop-shop innovative solution with comprehensive advice and customized execution of the whole drug discovery and development processes of biologics.