Collaboration to evaluate the development potential of next-generation dual-payload ADCs and further strengthen the versatility of Peptron’s PAb001 antibody
Peptron (087010), an innovative peptide-based drug development company, announced that it has entered into a co-research agreement with Debiopharm (Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing SA),, a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical company, to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using Peptron’s Mucin 1 (MUC1)-targeting antibody, PAb001.
The collaboration aims to discover and evaluate multiple PAb001-based ADC candidates by combining Peptron’s PAb001 antibody with Debiopharm’s proprietary ADC platform technology, MultiLINK™.
PAb001 is an antibody targeting MUC1, which is expressed in various solid tumors. Based on its strong tumor-targeting properties, PAb001 is regarded as a promising antibody asset that may be applicable to the development of various oncology modalities, including ADCs.
Under the research collaboration, Debiopharm will design and produce multiple PAb001-ADC candidates using its MultiLINK™ platform, which integrates cytotoxic payloads, linkers connecting antibodies and payloads, and conjugation technologies.
Peptron plans to conduct in vitro efficacy evaluations, in vivo antitumor efficacy studies, and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies on the ADC candidates provided by Debiopharm. Through these studies, Peptron will compare the characteristics of each candidate and conduct research to support the selection of an optimal development candidate.
Rather than focusing on the development of a single ADC candidate, the two companies plan to evaluate various combinations of linkers, payloads, and conjugation technologies. Through this approach, they aim to expand the applicability and development potential of the PAb001 antibody in ADCs and secure diverse follow-on development options.
Founded in 1979, Debiopharm is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical company with experience in developing oncology and specialty pharmaceutical products, including oxaliplatin and triptorelin. Debiopharm has recently been expanding its activities in the ADC field, including a growing pipeline of potential first-in-class and best-in-class compounds
Debiopharm also has a proprietary ADC platform, MultiLINK™, which supports various linker and payload combinations and includes dual-payload ADC technology that enables two different payloads to be conjugated to a single antibody. The platform is characterized by its flexibility in ADC design, based on its high compatibility with diverse payloads and conjugation methods.
“PAb001 is an antibody asset that enables a wide range of ADC designs based on its strong tumor-targeting properties,” said Ho-il Choi, CEO of Peptron. “We expect this research collaboration to further enhance the versatility and commercialization potential of PAb001 by applying various linker, payload, and conjugation technologies beyond the development of a single specific ADC candidate.”
He added, “Debiopharm’s MultiLINK™ platform is recognized as a next-generation technology capable of providing diverse ADC design options. Through this research, we plan to secure multiple PAb001-based ADC candidates and establish a foundation for future expansion into various oncology pipelines.”
Debiopharm CSO Frederic Levy also commented, “We are pleased to evaluate various ADC design possibilities by combining PAb001, which has promising characteristics, with Debiopharm’s MultiLINK™ platform.”
ADCs are next-generation anticancer therapeutic technologies that combine the tumor selectivity of antibodies with cytotoxic drugs. They are regarded as one of the fastest-growing fields in the global biopharmaceutical industry. Recently, active development efforts have been underway for next-generation ADC technologies utilizing multiple payloads, moving beyond conventional single-payload approaches.
Debiopharm is developing fit-for-purpose antibody-drug conjugates through a tailored “Trifecta” approach: strategic target selection, innovative proprietary MultiLINK™ linker technology, and smart payload choices. Their ADC portfolio includes first-in-class or best-in-class candidates: the clinical-stage Debio 1562M, a CD37-targeted ADC for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and Debio 2512, targeting HER3 & HER2 driven cancers, as well as other ADCs with undisclosed targets. They are actively partnering to access innovative targets, co-develop, or out-license our ADC programs and linker technologies. Their strong in-house capabilities and in-depth expertise span across ADC conjugation and optimization, pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), toxicology, translational, pharmaceutical (CMC) and clinical development, and supply chain management. They continue to invest in and explore potential game-changing technologies, such as novel and dual payloads.