Ajinomoto and Bright Peak Therapeutics to Collaborate on Immunocytokines Development

Ajinomoto announced on March 29, 2021 that it has entered into a research collaboration and exclusive license agreement with Bright Peak Therapeutics, a biotechnology company based in Switzerland, for the incorporation of Ajinomoto’s AJICAP proprietary site-specific bioconjugation technology into the development of Bright Peak’s Immunocytokines.

Under the terms of the agreement, the AJICAP technology will be used to conjugate Bright Peak’s enhanced cytokines as payloads to specific antibodies, generating novel and proprietary Bright Peak Immunocytokines and allowing for tissue- and cell-specific targeting of the cytokine payload with the option for synergistic efficacy through potency-enhancing avidity effects, Ajinomoto said in a company press release. Bright Peak will receive worldwide rights to use the technology for the conjugation of certain cytokine payloads, while Ajinomoto will be eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments and royalties on commercial sales.

"We are delighted to announce the collaboration with Ajinomoto to develop our proprietary Immunocytokines using AJICAP technology,” said Dr. Sef Kurstjens president and CEO of Bright Peak Therapeutics, in the press release. “It is a natural extension of Bright Peak’s chemical synthesis technology platform. The AJICAP conjugation technology is ideally suited to conjugate our enhanced cytokines as payloads to antibodies in the cancer and autoimmune field.”

"Ajinomoto Co. and Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services are very excited to collaborate with Bright Peak in the development of targeted Immunocytokines,” added Tatsuya Okuzumi, associate general manager, Research and Business Planning Department, Ajinomoto, in the press release. “The ability to direct potent, homogeneous immune-signaling molecules to tumors and the tumor microenvironment may provide enhanced antitumor clinical benefit through immune cell cytotoxic activity. The combination of Bright Peak’s cytokine payloads with Ajinomoto Co.’s AJICAP opens up a wide range of oncology applications and may be harnessed to provide a clinical benefit to patients.”

Source: Ajinomoto