Lonza, Stipple Bio Sign ADC Licensing Deal

Lonza and Stipple Bio Inc., a private biotechnology company harnessing epitope-level precision to create targeted cancer therapies, have signed a multi-target licensing agreement to support the development of next-generation precision oncology ADC therapies.

Stipple Bio is leveraging its Pointillist Platform to identify tumor-specific cell surface epitopes, which enable the development of potent, high therapeutic index medicines designed to avoid on-target/off-tumor toxicity. Under the agreement, Stipple Bio will gain target-specific access to Lonza’s ADC technology platform to enable the design of potential first-in-class and best-in-class ADC products, including STP-100. This collaboration combines Stipple Bio’s novel epitope discovery capabilities with Lonza’s established GlycoConnect ADC platform.

Jan Vertommen, Head of Commercial Development, Advanced Synthesis, commented: “We value the opportunity to work with Stipple Bio to support their innovative epitope discovery approach with our advanced ADC technologies. By combining their science with Lonza’s established bioconjugation platforms and efficient, scalable manufacturing capabilities, we aim to help Stipple Bio progress more precise and effective ADC programs with confidence and speed.”

Jeff Landau, CEO of Stipple Bio, added: “We are pleased to be partnering with Lonza and believe that their clinically validated platform will be instrumental in enabling us to translate that design sophistication into effective and better tolerated therapies, starting with our exciting lead program, STP-100.”

The terms of the agreement provide Stipple Bio with access to Lonza’s clinically validated, site-specific ADC technology platform, including GlycoConnect antibody conjugation technology, HydraSpace polar spacer technology, and a toxSYN linker payload. In addition, Lonza is eligible to receive upfront, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales of resulting products. Lonza is responsible for manufacturing components that are related to its proprietary technologies, and Stipple Bio is responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the ADCs.