On December 1, 2021 Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE: ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing multifunctional biotherapeutics, reported that Janssen Biotech, Inc. ("Janssen") dosed the first patient with JNJ-78306358, a bispecific antibody developed using Zymeworks’ Azymetric and EFECT therapeutic platforms (Press release, Zymeworks, DEC 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234596333]). This is the second Janssen bispecific program utilizing Zymeworks’ proprietary technology platforms to enter the clinic this year, following the announcement in August of Janssen’s dosing of the first patient with JNJ-78278343.
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"At Zymeworks, we are delighted to see our collaborator’s therapies reaching patients in the clinic, and we extend our congratulations to everyone at Janssen on this achievement," said Ali Tehrani, Ph.D., Zymeworks’ President & CEO. "Today, our therapeutic platforms are being leveraged through strategic partnerships with nine biopharmaceutical companies, with a total of six novel therapeutics having entered clinical development to date."
Zymeworks will receive a payment in connection with this milestone under Zymeworks’ 2017 licensing agreement with Janssen. Under the terms of that agreement, Zymeworks provided Janssen with a worldwide, royalty-bearing license to research, develop and commercialize up to six bispecific antibodies directed to Janssen therapeutic targets using Zymeworks’ Azymetric and EFECT platforms. Janssen is responsible for all research, development, and commercial activities under the licensing agreement. Zymeworks received an upfront payment of US$50 million and is eligible to potentially receive up to US$282 million in development milestone payments and up to US$1.12 billion in commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on potential sales.
About the Azymetric Platform
The Azymetric platform enables the transformation of monospecific antibodies into bispecific and multispecific antibodies, allowing simultaneous binding to several different disease targets. This unique technology enables the development of multifunctional therapeutics that can block multiple signaling pathways, recruit immune cells to tumors, enhance receptor clustering and internalization and increase tumor-specific targeting. These features are designed to enhance efficacy while reducing toxicities and the potential for drug resistance. Azymetric therapeutics have been engineered to retain the desirable drug-like qualities of naturally occurring antibodies, including low immunogenicity, long half-life and high stability. In addition, they are compatible with standard manufacturing processes that deliver high yields and purity, potentially reducing drug development costs and timelines.
About the EFECT Platform
The EFECT platform is a library of antibody Fc modifications engineered to activate or suppress the antibody-mediated immune response. This platform, which is compatible with traditional monoclonal as well as Azymetric bispecific antibodies, further enables the customization and optimization of therapeutic responses for different diseases.