Myricx and Biocytogen Announce Antibody Licensing Partnership
Friday, September 08, 2023
Myricx Bio, a prominent UK biotech company specializing in the exploration and development of a groundbreaking class of selective cytotoxic payloads for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), has announced a significant antibody license agreement with Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, a global biotech firm known for its work in novel antibody therapeutics.
This collaboration will empower Myricx to develop and bring to market ADCs based on an antibody crafted using Biocytogen's proprietary RenMice® platform. This partnership will bolster Myricx's ADC pipeline, comprising proprietary monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting crucial cancer-related markers, which are then conjugated with their pioneering selective cytotoxic payloads based on potent inhibitors of N-MyristoylTransferase (NMT). This represents a completely innovative approach within the ADC domain.
NMT is an enzyme responsible for adding a specific lipid modification to numerous protein targets vital for the survival of cancer cells. Myricx is actively progressing a range of ADCs to address unmet needs in oncology, harnessing the potential of its NMT inhibitor (NMTi) payload chemistry platform. These ADCs have demonstrated exceptional preclinical efficacy and safety profiles across various solid tumor-associated antigens and cancer cell types.
As per the agreement's terms, Myricx will contribute its proprietary linker and NMTi payload, while Biocytogen will undertake the task of conjugating them with its fully human antibody, derived from the RenMice® platform, to produce ADCs. Biocytogen will conduct feasibility assessments for these ADCs as Contract Research Organization (CRO) services. Upon exercising the option, Myricx will assume responsibility for the subsequent development and commercialization phases. Biocytogen will receive an initial payment and, upon option exercise, stand to gain development and commercialization milestone payments, along with single-digit royalties based on net sales.
Dr. Robin Carr, CEO of Myricx, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of the technology involved in developing novel antibodies for drug development. He emphasized the potential of combining Biocytogen's antibody with Myricx's innovative NMTi-based selective cytotoxic payloads, foreseeing the development of top-tier ADCs to address critical clinical needs in oncology. NMT inhibitors, Dr. Carr noted, represent a novel class of ADC payloads with the potential to be harnessed as targeted therapies for cancer due to their unique mechanism of action.
Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen, acknowledged Myricx's recognition of their antibody assets, preclinical discovery capabilities, and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control) expertise. He expressed confidence in the collaboration, citing Myricx's expertise in NMTi payloads and believing that the synergies between the two companies will lead to ADC drugs with unparalleled potential as first-in-class and best-in-class therapies.
Myricx, originating from two distinguished UK biomedical research institutions, Imperial College London and the Francis Crick Institute, was founded with the goal of developing drugs based on breakthrough discoveries and profound insights into NMT biology by its founders, Professors Ed Tate and Roberto Solari. The company received initial funding from Sofinnova Partners and Brandon Capital, setting the stage for its pioneering work in this field.
