Biocytogen and IDEAYA Biosciences Partner on B7H3/PTK7 Topo-I-Payload Bispecific ADC Program

July 31, 2024, Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (Biocytogen, HKEX: 02315), a global biotech entity focusing on novel antibody and ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) therapeutics, has announced a strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDYA), a precision medicine oncology company specializing in targeted therapeutics. This collaboration revolves around the potential development of a pioneering B7H3/PTK7 BsADC program.

Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting that the partnership combines Biocytogen's advanced RenLite® platform and proprietary linker-payload technology with IDEAYA's expertise in drug development. The goal is to enhance the precision and efficacy of ADCs. According to Dr. Shen, IDEAYA's dedication and extensive experience make them an ideal partner to expedite the development of therapies that could significantly benefit patients.

Yujiro S. Hata, President and CEO of IDEAYA Biosciences, emphasized that the B7H3/PTK7 topo-I-payload BsADC program has the potential to be a transformative monotherapy for various solid tumors. This initiative aligns with IDEAYA's broader strategy to create unique combinations of ADCs and DDR-based therapies (DNA damage response), aiming to maximize patient outcomes.

The agreement provides IDEAYA with an option for an exclusive global license from Biocytogen for the development of the B7H3/PTK7 topo-I-payload BsADC program. This program targets solid tumors where B7H3/PTK7 is co-expressed, such as lung, colorectal, and head and neck cancers.

Financial terms of the agreement include an upfront fee for Biocytogen, followed by an option exercise fee, development and regulatory milestone payments, and commercial milestone payments if IDEAYA exercises the option. Biocytogen could potentially receive up to $406.5 million, including $100.0 million in development and regulatory milestones, along with single-digit royalties on net sales.

Preclinical data indicate that the B7H3/PTK7 topoisomerase-I-inhibitor-payload BsADC has significant potential as both a standalone therapy and in combination with other therapeutics in IDEAYA's pipeline, such as the PARG inhibitor IDE161. The selection of a development candidate for the BsADC program is expected in the latter half of 2024.

Biocytogen is renowned for its innovative technologies in antibody-based drug development. Founded on gene editing technology, the company uses its proprietary RenMice® platforms to discover fully human monoclonal, bispecific, and multispecific antibodies, among other therapeutic candidates. The company has also established RenBiologics™ to foster global partnerships and has developed an extensive library of over 400,000 fully human antibody sequences targeting approximately 1,000 different markers.

As of December 2023, Biocytogen has formed numerous partnerships and licensing agreements globally, including collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies. The company pioneered drug target knock-in humanized models for preclinical research and offers an array of off-the-shelf animal and cell models under its BioMice™ sub-brand. Biocytogen operates internationally, with branches in China, the USA, and Germany.

IDEAYA Biosciences is dedicated to the discovery and development of targeted oncology therapies. The company's approach integrates biomarker identification and validation with drug discovery, aiming to select patient populations most likely to benefit from its therapies. IDEAYA focuses on synthetic lethality, an emerging area in precision medicine that targets specific vulnerabilities in cancer cells.

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