South Korean biotech companies are accelerating next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development through novel target antibodies and dual-payload approaches, following Big Pharma's recent multi-billion-dollar acquisitions in the sector. On the 19th, industry reports indicated Novartis acquired UK-based Myricx Bio for up to $1.5 billion to secure novel payload technology, while Eli Lilly purchased Crossbridge Bio for up to $300 million in April for dual-payload ADC capabilities. The corporate activity reflects a strategic shift as the global ADC market matures beyond established therapies like Enhertu, driving demand for differentiated mechanisms targeting new disease indications and overcoming single-antigen resistance.
Novartis and Eli Lilly Acquire ADC Developers for Novel Payload Access
Novartis structured its Myricx Bio acquisition with an $1.1 billion upfront payment and up to $400 million in milestone payments. Myricx Bio possesses technology utilizing N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors (NMTi) as ADC payloads. Pfizer separately signed an ADC co-development agreement with Innovent Biologics worth up to 10.5 billion won, explicitly specifying novel payload ADC development. Hong Yu-seok, CEO of Genome & Company, stated that in the mature ADC market, developing ADCs with validated targets makes it difficult to compete with first-in-class drugs and increases commercial failure risk.
LegoChem Biosciences Licenses Novel Target Antibodies and Payloads
LegoChem Biosciences, positioning itself as an ADC platform specialist with strengths in linkers and payloads, licensed multiple novel target antibodies from US-based NovaRock Biotherapeutics starting last year. In April, the company in-licensed a novel payload from domestic firm Pian Biotechnology. Kim Yong-joo, Chairman of LegoChem Biosciences, stated that more than half of the company's over 20 pipelines are high-risk projects based on novel targets or novel payloads.
ABL Bio Advances Dual-Antibody ADCs to Phase 1 Clinical Trials
ABL Bio entered global Phase 1 clinical trials for dual-antibody ADCs ABL206 and ABL209, and recently formalized dual-payload and novel payload development programs. Lee Sang-hoon, CEO of ABL Bio, stated that all domestic companies developing ADCs must develop dual-payload or novel payload therapies, adding that novel payloads will be central to next-generation ADC leadership.
Genome & Company Presents Preclinical Data on Novel Target ADCs
Genome & Company is developing GENA-104ADC targeting the novel antigen CNTN4 and GENA-120 targeting the novel antigen ITGB4. According to preclinical results presented by Genome & Company at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), GENA-104ADC demonstrated high safety in monkey toxicity studies, while GENA-120 showed best-in-class level therapeutic efficacy. Aimed Bio is developing ADCs with novel targets, and Intocell is developing ADCs with novel payloads.
FAQ
What did Novartis acquire on the 19th for ADC development?
Novartis acquired UK-based Myricx Bio for up to $1.5 billion, consisting of an $1.1 billion upfront payment and up to $400 million in milestone payments. Myricx Bio possesses technology utilizing N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors as ADC payloads.
Which Korean biotech company advanced dual-antibody ADCs to Phase 1 trials?
ABL Bio entered global Phase 1 clinical trials for dual-antibody ADCs ABL206 and ABL209. The company recently formalized dual-payload and novel payload development programs, with CEO Lee Sang-hoon stating that novel payloads will be central to next-generation ADC leadership.
What preclinical results did Genome & Company present at AACR?
Genome & Company presented preclinical data showing GENA-104ADC demonstrated high safety in monkey toxicity studies, while GENA-120 showed best-in-class level therapeutic efficacy. GENA-104ADC targets the novel antigen CNTN4, and GENA-120 targets the novel antigen ITGB4.
