SOTIO Biotech, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, has announced a target-specific license and option agreement with LegoChem Biosciences (LCB), granting SOTIO rights to deploy LCB’s ADC technology for up to five therapeutic programs targeting distinct tumour-associated antigens.
The deal will enable the company to combine its proprietary antibodies with LCB’s ADC technology platform to deliver therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumours and includes LCB’s conjugation technology, ConjuAll, and potent linker-payload platform including multiple payloads.
Under the terms of the agreement, LCB is eligible to receive upfront and potential milestone payments worth up to $1027.5m, payable based on certain developments and regulatory achievements, plus royalties on net sales. The deal includes upfront and near-term milestones worth up to $29.5m, subject to exercise of the options and achievement of milestones.
“At SOTIO we are building an innovative pipeline of ADC programs and plan IND filing for our lead program SOT102 by the end of 2021. The licensing agreement with our new, experienced partner LegoChem allows us to broaden our oncology pipeline with additional programs and solid tumour targets. We are looking forward to using the potential of LegoChem’s ADC technology platform and to develop innovative ADCs for patients in need,” said Radek Spisek, CEO of SOTIO.
SOTIO will be responsible for research, development, manufacturing and commercialisation of the ADC products, while LCB will support and work closely with the company on research and component manufacturing of components related to its technology platforms.
Dr Yong-Zu Kim, CEO and President of LCB added: “This collaboration is yet another example that illustrates how the value proposition of the LCB platform can increase the competitive position of our partners within the ADC space. SOTIO is an ideal partner for LCB due to its expertise and strategic focus on innovative antibody drug conjugates, and we look forward to working closely together on multiple innovative programs.”
