Lonza has entered an exclusive licensing agreement with Antharis Therapeutics that will allow the biotechnology company to develop dual-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting gastrointestinal cancers.

Under the target-specific agreement, Antharis will gain access to Lonza’s site-specific dual-payload ADC technology platform and combine it with its own antibody engineering and target biology capabilities to develop new oncology therapies.

The collaboration will initially support Antharis’ lead ADC programme, which the company said is approaching clinical development for gastrointestinal cancers.

ADCs are designed to deliver cancer-fighting agents directly to tumour cells through an antibody that recognises a specific target. Dual-payload ADCs aim to carry two therapeutic payloads, an approach that researchers are exploring to address tumour complexity and drug resistance.

Under the terms of the agreement, Antharis will be responsible for research, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation of products developed through the collaboration, while Lonza will manufacture components associated with its proprietary payload and linker technologies. Financial terms include upfront payments, potential development milestones and royalties on future net sales.

Jan Vertommen, vice president of commercial development, advanced synthesis at Lonza, said: “This licensing agreement highlights an exciting new innovation based on Lonza’s proprietary dual payload technology.”

He added: “We are excited to combine our platform with Antharis’ deep expertise in antibody engineering and target biology to evaluate its potential to advance next-generation ADCs.”

The agreement reflects continued industry interest in ADCs, which have become one of the fastest-growing areas of oncology drug development. Researchers are increasingly investigating multi-payload approaches as a potential way to improve anti-tumour activity and overcome mechanisms that can limit the effectiveness of conventional therapies.

Raphael Ribeiro pinaud, chief executive officer of Antharis Therapeutics, said: “By combining Lonza’s clinically validated ADC technology platform with Antharis’ antibody engineering, target biology and translational expertise, we are well positioned to advance next-generation dual-payload ADCs.”

While the companies have not disclosed the financial value of the deal, the agreement provides Antharis with exclusive rights to apply the technology to its selected target in gastrointestinal cancers and positions Lonza to receive milestone and royalty payments if products reach the market.