Ajinomoto and Exelixis License Agreement to Discover and Develop Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugates for the Treatment of Cancer
11 January 2023
Ajinomoto Co., Inc.today announced a license agreement with Exelixis, Inc. to develop AJICAP , its proprietary site-specific bioconjugation and Linker Technology of Ajinomoto Co., in the development of certain Exelixis Antibody-Drug Conjugate programs.
Exelixis is a commercially successful oncology biotechnology company focused on accelerating the discovery, development and commercialization of new drugs for difficult-to-treat cancers. Through its network of biotherapeutic collaborations, the company is developing next-generation AWKs for the treatment of various types of cancer. Ajinomoto Co. is a leading biopharmaceutical technology provider and owner of CDMO Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services. AJICAP _is a site-specific bioconjugation and stable linker technology developed by Ajinomoto Co. that is compatible with common antibody isotypes. AJICAP technology provides the off-the-shelf capability to conjugate any therapeutic antibody to any drug payload at any stage of development, without the need for antibody engineering or cell line development, and stable/hydrophilic linkers to generate antibody-drug conjugates with an expanded therapeutic window.
Under the terms of the license agreement, Exelixis will have the right to use the AJICAP technology to support its goal of developing multiple ADCs with the potential for higher potency and lower toxicity than currently available options. Ajinomoto Co. receives development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments and royalties on commercial sales.
dr Tatsuya Okuzumi , General Manager, Business Development Group, Bio-Pharma Services Department, Ajinomoto Co. stated, “We are very pleased to partner with Exelixis, a leader in the discovery, development and commercialization of anticancer drugs, in the development of novel antibody-drug to support conjugates. The combination of Exelixis' antibodies and payloads with Ajinomoto Co.'s AJICAP opens up a wide range of applications in oncology and can be used to the clinical benefit of patients."
Source:prnewswire.com