Lonza’s Synaffix has signed a licensing agreement with Qurient Therapeutics of South Korea to develop a dual-payload antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that will combine two different cancer-killing agents in a single therapy.

Dual-payload ADCs are designed to deliver two cytotoxic payloads with distinct mechanisms of action to tumour cells. The approach aims to boost anti-cancer activity and reduce the risk of resistance, a frequent problem in patients who relapse on existing therapies. By directing the drugs specifically to cancer cells, developers also hope to limit toxicity to healthy tissues.

The collaboration will merge Synaffix’s exatecan-based linker-payload technology with Qurient’s CDK7 inhibitor, with a focus on treating solid tumours where current therapies often fall short. Qurient will be responsible for research, development, manufacturing and commercialisation of the ADC, as well as producing its CDK7 inhibitor. Lonza will provide access to Synaffix’s clinical-stage ADC platform, which includes its GlycoConnect conjugation chemistry, HydraSpace polar spacer, and exatecan-based payload technology.

Synaffix has built a reputation around site-specific conjugation and linker designs that can improve the stability, potency and therapeutic index of ADCs. The deal with Qurient highlights growing industry interest in moving beyond single-payload formats.

Peter van de Sande, head of Synaffix, said: “This licensing collaboration with Qurient signifies the versatility of our industry-leading ADC platform technology. Enabling the development of a dual-payload ADC built with Synaffix technology reflects our drive to continue pioneering innovation in the field.”

Qurient has several oncology programmes under way, including kinase inhibitors and immune-oncology agents. The addition of an ADC project marks an expansion of its pipeline into targeted biologics.

Kiyean Nam, chief executive at Qurient, said: “Dual-payload ADCs represent the next frontier in targeted antibody therapeutics, and we look forward to advancing this novel combination of our CDK7 inhibitor and Synaffix’s SYNtecan linker-payload. The combination of our proprietary technology with Synaffix’s industry-leading platform has the potential to be applicable to a wider range of targets and antibodies.”

The companies did not disclose financial terms of the licensing deal.