Synaffix B.V., a Lonza company focused on clinical-stage antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform technologies, and Sidewinder Therapeutics, a precision ADC therapeutics company, have announced a multi-target licensing agreement to develop next-generation bispecific ADCs for solid tumor indications.

The agreement gives Sidewinder access to Lonza’s clinically validated site-specific ADC platform, including GlycoConnect antibody conjugation technology, HydraSpace polar spacer technology, and the toxSYN linker payload. Sidewinder will lead research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the resulting ADCs, while Lonza will provide components related to its proprietary technologies and will receive milestone payments and royalties on net sales.

Peter van de Sande, head of Synaffix at Lonza, said: “This collaboration brings together two cutting-edge platforms to enhance the therapeutic index of bispecific ADCs by minimizing impact on healthy tissue. We are confident that our technologies will help Sidewinder’s pipeline reach its full potential in maximizing tumor targeting, hence delivering new life-saving therapies for the benefit of patients with cancer.”

The collaboration aims to combine Sidewinder’s bispecific antibody approach, which targets tumor-specific receptor complexes, with Synaffix’s site-specific linker-payload platform to improve tumor-cell internalization and tolerability. According to the companies, this synergy has the potential to accelerate the development of first-in-class bispecific ADCs with enhanced efficacy and safety profiles.

Eric Murphy, co-founder and chief executive officer of Sidewinder Therapeutics, said: “The ADC field has reached an exciting moment fueled by multiple technology breakthroughs that enable the next generation of bispecific ADC innovation.

“Sidewinder’s bispecific antibody approach targeting tumor-specific receptor complexes combined with Synaffix’s clinically validated site-specific linker-payload platform creates an ideal synergy with the potential to greatly impact patient benefit. This collaboration advances our mission to reshape the cancer treatment landscape by improving tolerability for bispecific ADCs.”

The companies said the agreement strengthens their shared focus on precision oncology and the development of therapies with a high therapeutic index for solid tumor patients.