Glythera Licenses Novel Payload Class from Cancer Research UK for ADC Development

Glythera, company focused on the development of next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), have signed an agreement with Cancer Research UK, under which Glythera receives exclusive worldwide rights to the charity’s novel CDK11 inhibitor payload series for the development of multiple ADCs conjugated using Glythera’s proprietary PermaLink conjugation platform.

Glythera and Cancer Research UK will select and optimize toxins from the inhibitor payload series for development into ADCs. Glythera will then progress multiple ADCs, optimized according to cancer cell-kill profiles, for difficult-to-treat tumors. Glythera is currently evaluating a range of clinically important antibody targets and intends to identify its first clinical ADC candidate by 2019.

This agreement follows a successful period of collaboration between Glythera and the cancer charity, during which the viability of selected low molecular weight CDK11 molecules was demonstrated in relevant ADC models. 

The CDK11 inhibitor program has identified a series of low molecular weight, synthetically tractable compounds that potently inhibit and are selective against other kinase targets. The series demonstrates highly potent anti-proliferative activity in dividing and non-dividing tumor cells and represents an exciting approach for ADCs.

Glythera will be responsible for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any ADC products resulting from the agreement. Cancer Research UK will receive an undisclosed up-front fee, milestone payments on program success for each resulting ADC, and royalties on worldwide product sales.

Source: Glythera