Ono Pharma, LigaChem collaborate on ADC for solid tumors

Ono Pharmaceutical has entered into a licensing agreement with LigaChem Biosciences (LCB) for the development of LCB97, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting solid tumors. This Osaka-based pharmaceutical company is also collaborating with LCB on research and development of new ADC candidates through LCB’s ConjuAll ADC platform. The pre-clinical candidate LCB97 aims at the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) and has demonstrated significant anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical trials.

The terms of the agreement grant Ono exclusive global rights to advance the development, production, and commercialization of LCB97 for the treatment of solid tumors. This deal involves upfront and milestone payments to LCB that could amount to as much as $700 million, in addition to tiered royalties based on net sales. Moreover, the partnership includes collaborative efforts to create additional ADC candidates, with Ono securing exclusive global rights for any resulting new therapies aimed at multiple solid tumor types.

Antibody-drug conjugates have been gaining attention in the pharmaceutical industry for their cancer-fighting potential, with the market expected to soar past $13 billion by 2026. ADCs combine the targeting ability of antibodies with the cell-killing power of chemotherapy, allowing for more precise and effective cancer treatment. The collaboration between Ono and LCB represents a significant step forward in the development of these innovative therapies, potentially offering new hope for patients with solid tumors.

In this multi-faceted agreement, both companies bring their unique strengths to the table. LigaChem Biosciences contributes its ConjuAll ADC technology platform, which is designed to optimize the delivery and effectiveness of ADCs, while Ono Pharmaceutical provides its extensive experience in drug development and commercialization. This collaboration is poised to accelerate the development of LCB97 and other ADC candidates, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to potentially bring new cancer treatments to market.

The strategic partnership highlights the growing importance of ADCs in oncology, reflecting a broader industry trend towards more targeted and personalized therapies. By focusing on the L1 cell adhesion molecule, LCB97 is designed to attack cancer cells more selectively, reducing the impact on healthy cells and potentially improving patient outcomes. The successful development and commercialization of LCB97 could pave the way for new approaches in the treatment of solid tumors, offering a promising new option for patients who may have limited treatment choices.

Ono Pharmaceutical's investment in this collaboration underscores the company's commitment to advancing innovative cancer therapies. The potential $700 million in payments and royalties reflects the high stakes involved in developing effective ADCs, which have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. As research progresses and new ADC candidates are developed, the partnership between Ono and LCB could yield significant breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.

Overall, the collaboration between Ono Pharmaceutical and LigaChem Biosciences marks an important milestone in the development of antibody-drug conjugates for solid tumors. With promising preclinical results for LCB97 and a robust platform for generating new ADC candidates, this partnership has the potential to bring new, targeted therapies to patients in need. The oncology community will be watching closely as these developments unfold, hopeful for the new possibilities that these innovative treatments might offer.