US biopharmaceutical company Antharis Therapeutics Inc and Lonza (SWX:LONN), a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) based in Switzerland, announced on Monday an exclusive, target-specific licensing agreement to develop novel dual-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

Antharis Therapeutics utilises proprietary antibody engineering and target biology expertise to develop next-generation therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bispecifics and ADCs, designed to address unmet medical needs in oncology. Through this agreement, Antharis will integrate its proprietary antibody engineering and target biology expertise with Lonza's clinically validated, site-specific ADC technologies.

Antharis will secure rights to Lonza's dual-payload ADC technology platform, which will be combined with Antharis' proprietary discovery and development capabilities to advance highly differentiated, next generation ADC programmes for multicancer applications.

The collaboration will initially support Antharis' lead ADC programme, about to enter the clinic, targeting GI cancers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Antharis will retain full responsibility for research, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation of the ADCs, while Lonza will manufacture components related to its proprietary payload and linker technologies. Lonza will be eligible to receive upfront, potential milestone payments and royalty payments on net sales.