SOTIO Expands ADC Pipeline with Bispecific Candidates SOT112 and SOT113
SOTIO Biotech Advances Two Promising Bispecific Antibody-Drug Conjugate Programs
SOTIO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company owned by PPF Group, has announced an exciting development in its collaboration with Synaffix B.V., a Lonza company. The company has exercised its option to obtain a license to Synaffix’s proprietary technology to further its efforts in advancing two bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs, SOT112 and SOT113. These programs are aimed at providing potential first-in-class and best-in-class treatments for solid tumors.
Exercising the Option: A Major Step for SOTIO
Under the terms of their license and option agreement, SOTIO has exercised its right to utilize Synaffix’s groundbreaking technology to develop SOT112 and SOT113. These bispecific ADC programs will now be advanced by SOTIO’s in-house research team. Both candidates have shown promising potential in preclinical studies and are designed to offer more effective treatments for solid tumors, an area where treatment options remain limited.
SOT112, a bispecific ADC, has demonstrated the potential for applicability across multiple major cancer indications. On the other hand, SOT113 is being developed specifically for precision targeting in prostate cancer. Both of these candidates are entering the lead nomination stage and leverage highly attractive target pairs, making them significant contenders in the oncology field.
Collaborative Technology for Groundbreaking Advancements
The two bispecific antibody candidates were identified and designed by SOTIO’s research team. Now, the company will develop these ADC candidates using Synaffix’s advanced ADC technology. This includes the use of Synaffix’s GlycoConnect®, HydraSpace®, and potent linker-payloads from the toxSYN® platform. This collaboration enables SOTIO to combine its proprietary antibodies with Synaffix’s technologies to create more effective and targeted ADC therapies.
Synaffix’s platform has been clinically validated, and it allows for the development of next-generation ADCs that can target tumors with greater precision and fewer off-target effects. The combination of SOTIO’s expertise in antibody development with Synaffix’s cutting-edge technology will enable the creation of ADCs that have the potential to significantly improve cancer treatment.
SOTIO’s Commitment to Cancer Research and Development
Dr. Martin Steegmaier, Chief Scientific Officer of SOTIO, expressed his excitement about the continued progress of the bispecific ADC programs. He stated, “The promising preclinical data on SOT112 and SOT113 have reinforced our confidence in their potential, and we are excited to advance these candidates within our first-in-class and best-in-class ADC portfolio.” According to Dr. Steegmaier, bispecific ADCs represent a groundbreaking advancement in oncology, with the ability to enhance tumor-targeting precision and address the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in solid tumor expression.
The SOTIO team is focused on developing safer and more effective treatments for patients with solid tumors, and these two new ADC programs align with the company’s long-term mission. The ability to target tumors with greater specificity is critical in overcoming the limitations of traditional cancer treatments.
Synaffix’s Role in the Collaboration
Synaffix B.V. is a leader in the development of innovative ADC technologies. Peter van de Sande, Head of Synaffix, commented on the expanded collaboration, saying, “We are pleased that SOTIO, recognizing the versatility and robustness of our clinically validated platform, has chosen to expand its use of our ADC technology to two additional targets. ADCs are a key part of our offering, and our technology is primed to support this next stage of innovation in targeted cancer therapeutics.”
Synaffix’s platform, which includes GlycoConnect® for site-specific conjugation, HydraSpace® for enhanced stability, and the toxSYN® linker-payloads for improved cytotoxicity, is well-suited to support the development of ADCs with high efficacy and minimal toxicity. With this collaboration, Synaffix will provide essential support in manufacturing the components related to its proprietary technologies.
The Financial Terms of the Agreement
Under the terms of the agreement between SOTIO and Synaffix, Synaffix is entitled to receive an upfront payment, milestone payments based on the progress of the programs, and single-digit royalties on the net sales of the resulting ADC products. These financial arrangements are designed to incentivize both companies to continue developing and advancing the bispecific ADC programs.
SOTIO, as the lead company in the collaboration, will be responsible for the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the ADC products. Synaffix, in turn, will provide close support for SOTIO’s research activities and will be responsible for manufacturing components specific to its technologies, such as the GlycoConnect®, HydraSpace®, and toxSYN® systems.
The Future of ADC Development
Bispecific ADCs are a rapidly growing area in oncology, offering the promise of more precise and potent therapies for a wide range of cancers. ADCs work by combining the targeting ability of antibodies with the cancer-killing power of cytotoxic drugs, delivering treatments directly to the tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. This targeted approach is one of the reasons why ADCs are so promising in cancer treatment.
The SOT112 and SOT113 programs, in particular, demonstrate the potential to address unmet needs in solid tumors, where current treatments often fall short. SOTIO’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with Synaffix is expected to result in the development of therapies that could transform the treatment landscape for patients with challenging cancers like prostate cancer.
Conclusion
SOTIO’s decision to expand its ADC pipeline with the development of SOT112 and SOT113 marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to advance targeted therapies for cancer. By leveraging Synaffix’s cutting-edge ADC technology, SOTIO is poised to create innovative treatments that could significantly improve patient outcomes. As the programs continue to progress toward clinical trials, the collaboration between SOTIO and Synaffix will play a critical role in the next generation of cancer therapeutics.
With both companies focused on advancing the frontiers of cancer treatment, the future looks promising for bispecific ADCs in oncology, and SOTIO’s efforts could potentially lead to breakthroughs in solid tumor treatment.
About Synaffix
Synaffix B.V. is a biotechnology company that enables ADC product candidates using its clinical-stage, site-specific ADC technology platform based on GlycoConnect®, HydraSpace® and toxSYN® technologies, that together enable any company with an antibody to develop proprietary best-in-class ADC products under a single license from Synaffix. The Synaffix platform enables a rapid timeline to clinic due to the established supply chain of technology components. Synaffix holds granted patents to its technology. The business model of Synaffix is target-specific technology out-licensing, as exemplified through its partnered pipeline. Synaffix was fully acquired by Lonza in June 2023. For more information about Synaffix’s ADC platform technology, please visit: https://www.synaffix.com/platform/technology.
About SOTIO Biotech
SOTIO Biotech (SOTIO) is shaping the future of targeted cancer therapies by translating compelling science into patient benefit. The company is advancing an innovative pipeline of mono- and bispecific solid tumor ADC programs at various stages of preclinical development. The SOTIO pipeline also includes two clinical-stage programs: SOT201, a next-generation PD-1-targeting immunocytokine; and BOXR1030, a metabolically-enhanced CAR-T cell therapy targeting GPC3-expressing tumors. SOTIO is a member of the PPF Group. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.sotio.com.
