{"id":32054,"date":"2017-11-13T10:52:53","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T15:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciencebusiness.technewslit.com\/?p=32054"},"modified":"2017-11-13T10:52:53","modified_gmt":"2017-11-13T15:52:53","slug":"zymeworks-janssen-in-1-45b-antibody-licensing-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/technewslit.com\/sciencebusiness\/?p=32054","title":{"rendered":"Zymeworks, Janssen in $1.45B Antibody Licensing Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Lawrence Livermore National Lab)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13 November 2017. Janssen Biotech, a division of drug maker Johnson & Johnson, is acquiring technologies that make it possible to create synthetic antibodies that hit multiple targets. The agreement could bring biotechnology company Zymeworks Inc.<\/a> in Vancouver, British Columbia as much as $1.45 billion if all parts of the deal are completed.<\/p>\n

Zymeworks designs engineered proteins for therapies that it says are derived from algorithms and simulations<\/a> to better understand the physical structure of protein chemistry. This simulation engine makes it possible to perform multiple virtual experiments with proposed synthetic proteins<\/a> to discover properties that meet desired therapeutic needs.<\/p>\n

The company says that from these technological capabilities, it develops several types of synthetic proteins for biological drugs. Zymeworks’ Azymetric platform<\/a> creates proteins resembling common immunoglobulin G<\/a>, or IgG, antibodies that account for about three-quarters of immunoglobulins in humans. With the Azymetric platform, the company says it can produce highly-targeted IgG-like antibodies with high stability and durability, but with changes in their amino acid structure that also can bind to two antigen targets. One product from the Azymetric platform, code-named ZW25<\/a>, is in an early-stage clinical trial as a treatment for breast cancer addressing HER2 proteins.<\/p>\n

Zymeworks says its technology can also produce antibodies that alter the fragment crystallizable<\/a>, or Fc, region of immunoglobulin G antibodies. This part of IgG antibodies is important in binding to antigens, and by manipulating these properties, says the company, it can refine the impact of engineered antibodies to deliver higher-powered payloads or minimize adverse effects. Zymeworks says this platform it calls Effector Function Enhancement and Control Technology, or Efect<\/a>, is producing a library of Fc modifications for engineered proteins.<\/p>\n

The agreement provides Janssen Biotech with a worldwide license to develop up to 6 synthetic bi-specific antibodies incorporating features from Zymeworks’ Azymetric and Efect platforms, addressing targets identified by Janssen. Under the deal, Janssen is responsible for all research, development, and commercialization of these antibodies.<\/p>\n

The deal provides Zymeworks with an initial payment of $50 million, with the company eligible for another $282 million in development milestone payments. If the products reach commercialization stages, Zymeworks will also be eligible for further milestone payments and royalties valued at $1.12 billion. In addition, Janssen has an option to develop 2 more bi-specific antibodies, with Zymeworks eligible for a future undisclosed option payment.<\/p>\n

Janssen says it has a number of synthetic antibodies in development<\/a> for cancer, immune system disorders, cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases. The agreement with Janssen is not an exclusive license, however. Zymeworks also has licensing agreements<\/a> with drug makers Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck.<\/p>\n

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