Aptamer and PinotBio Collaborate on Drug Conjugates for Targeted Drug Delivery

Aptamer Group, provider of Optimer reagents, and PinotBio, a clinical-stage oncology-focused biotechnology company, have formed a strategic collaboration aimed at the development of new drug conjugates for targeted drug delivery.

The companies will combine Aptamer’s Optimer technology with PinotBio’s technology using the chemotherapeutic FL-118 compound with specific linker. These Optimer drug conjugates will be generated and optimized against multiple undisclosed targets.

Under the terms of the agreement, PinotBio will perform pre-clinical R&D to evaluate each of the Optimer-drug conjugates. Additionally, the potential for clinical progression of each candidate as a treatment of hematological cancers will be evaluated by PinotBio. Commercial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“The development of drug conjugates that combine the benefits of Optimer binders to selectively and efficiently target PinotBio’s novel linker delivery system to the tumor site for activation and therapeutic delivery represents the next evolution in drug delivery technology,” said Arron Tolley, CEO of Aptamer Group, in a June 2, 2021 press release. “We are looking forward to working with the team at PinotBio and believe this collaboration has the potential to develop much-needed improved oncological treatments.”

“This field of targeted delivery of anti-cancer compounds is fast growing and at the same time fast changing. Combining three things, right target, right vehicle, and right payload is equally important,” added Doo Young Jung, CEO of PinotBio, in the press release. “I believe that through this collaboration, we can combine the right vehicle and payload to result in novel drug candidates with a potential to change the cancer treatment landscape.”

Source: Aptamer Group