Celltrion signed a contract with PinoBio to introduce the option to implement the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) linker-payload platform technology.
With this contract, Celltrion paid an advance payment and secured the right to use PINOT-ADC™, Pinobio’s ADC linker-payload platform, for up to 15 targets. Celltrion plans to develop ADC anticancer drugs targeting solid cancer by applying PINOT-ADC™ technology to pipeline candidates under development.
A Celltrion official said on the 18th, “By introducing the linker-payload platform technology implementation option, Celltrion has added momentum to the development of ADC anticancer drugs, which is in progress as a future growth engine business. We plan to actively expand new growth engines through continuous collaboration with the company.”
The ADC linker-payload technology, which has recently been attracting attention, is a technology that combines an antibody that responds only to a specific antigen with a chemical drug with excellent therapeutic effect (payload) so that the drug can selectively act on antigen-expressing cells. In particular, since the maximum therapeutic effect can be expected with minimal drug administration and the drug can be selectively delivered to the target cells, ADC therapeutics to which the technology is applied are in the spotlight in the anticancer field.
Celltrion signed an equity investment and joint research contract with Pinobio as well as a contract to introduce platform technology implementation options. The two companies decided to establish a long-term partnership through equity investment and joint research contracts, while concentrating their development capabilities as much as possible to achieve the common goal of developing ADC therapeutics.
Celltrion can use the technology for one target every time one option is exercised for a total of 15 target option rights secured this time, and advance payment, milestones, and royalties are set separately for each option exercise.