Under the agreement, Orion gains access to Glykos’ proprietary ADC technologies, initiating an ADC programme with the potential for expansion into two additional programmes in the future.
Orion will be responsible for the target selection, research, development and commercialisation of up to three next-generation ADCs, with a focus on solid tumours.
Glykos is eligible for milestone payments related to signing of the agreement, target selection and sales milestones. Glykos is also entitled to receive royalties on commercial sales generated from the three ADC programmes.
Outi Vaarala, Senior Vice President, Innovative Medicines and R&D, Orion, said: “Collaboration with Glykos and possibility to utilise their ADC technology complements nicely our research portfolio in oncology and is yet another demonstration of our will to develop new treatment options for cancer patients with unmet needs.”
Juhani Saarinen, CEO of Glykos, said: "The acknowledgment of our ADC technology by an esteemed pharmaceutical company such as Orion is a strong statement to the transformative potential of these technologies in enhancing the therapeutic index of ADCs."
"We look forward to partnering with Orion and believe that with their expertise on cancer therapies and robust clinical pipeline, this partnership can deliver innovative medicines for cancer patients.”