Iksuda Therapeutics (Iksuda), an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing antibody- based therapies for the treatment of cancer, has signed a licensing agreement with Femtogenix Ltd., a next-generation ADC payload company, under which, Iksuda will use FGX’s sequence-selective DNA-interactive payload molecules to advance its lead ADC to the clinic, with the goal of targeting difficult-to-treat solid tumors.
 
Leveraging FGX’s highly potent and broad-acting DNA mono-alkylating payloads in combination with its own PermaLink conjugation platform, Iksuda aims to significantly improve the therapeutic index of its ADCs and further advance the current standard of care for solid tumor types, which can be resistant to treatment. The agreement is part of Iksuda’s efforts to expand its ADC technology-suite and drug pipeline, which aims to progress multiple candidates towards clinical studies in 2020. 
 
Dr. Dave Simpson, chief executive officer, Iksuda, said, “This agreement is an exciting progression of our ADC pipeline as it maximizes potential for the greatest anti-cancer impact and enhanced therapeutic index, further underpinning our ambition to advance multiple ADCs to the clinic and treat the broadest patient population possible.”
 
Dr. Chris Keightley, chief executive officer, Femtogenix, said, “We are pleased to be working with Iksuda to further validate the clinical potential of our payloads, which should provide improved efficacy and safety in comparison to those currently in the clinic. We have developed a wide range of easily conjugated payloads with novel mechanisms of action and potency levels, and these are available for licensing. In particular, we are developing payloads that can recognize and bind to transcription factor recognition site profiles within the genome. Such profiles are characteristic of specific tumor types, and this allows FGX to develop payloads with reduced toxicity and enhanced target specificity.”