Genmab and ADC Therapeutics have entered an agreement to develop a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) product combining Genmab’s HuMax-TAC antibody and ADC’s PBD-based warhead and linker technology. The companies have completed in vitro and in vivo studies and now have the product ready for preclinical development for multiple cancer indications.

Genmab and ADC will initially have an equal share in the product. ADC will lead and fund preclinical development. Prior to the IND submission, Genmab may elect to retain equal ownership of the product. Genmab will not incur any development costs prior to the IND filing decision and will maintain a minimum 25% ownership stake in the product. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We believe our unique HuMax-TAC antibody has optimal characteristics for creation of an ultra-potent antibody-drug conjugate when used in combination with ADC Therapeutics’ novel PBD-based warhead and linker technology, which employs an emerging class of highly potent anticancer agents. This agreement is another example of a win-win partnership combining Genmab’s state-of-the-art antibody development expertise with the latest advance in antibody-payload technology,” said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Genmab.

Dr. Peter B. Corr, chairman of ADC Therapeutics, said, “We are very excited to be developing an ADC with our new partner Genmab and incorporating our next generation PBD-based toxins into this product. Our preclinical data for this product indicate the potential for curative efficacy in highly resistant populations at low ADC doses of this product in several oncology indications, an area with critical unmet needs.”