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LOTTE BIOLOGICS announced on the 10th of July that it has recently signed a contract for contract research and joint development regarding the establishment of an Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) technology platform with the Korean bioventure KANAPH Therapeutics.

According to this agreement, both companies plan to conduct joint development over the next year to establish a new ADC technology platform for existing linkers and payloads. Through this initiative, LOTTE BIOLOGICS aims to internalize ADC CDO capabilities and strengthen its competitiveness in securing ADC orders. Upon completion of the ADC facility expansion underway at the Syracuse site in the United States, it is expected to provide services across the entire ADC value chain, from product development to commercial production, based on this platform technology. In addition, KANAPH Therapeutics plans to develop next-generation ADC drugs that can fulfill unmet medical needs for existing treatments based on the outcomes of the joint development.

CEO Lee Byung-Chul, who has built research capabilities at reputable global companies, established KANAPH Therapeutics in February 2019, and is developing immuno-oncology and targeted oncology treatments as well as autoimmune disease treatments centered on the Antibody-Cytokine Fusion Protein Platform 'TMEkine™. It is also simultaneously developing two new protein drugs and four new recombinant drugs, and thus has the in-house capabilities for ADC development. CEO Lee Byung-Chul, who is renowned for his work with various linker, payload, and ADC conjugation studies as a researcher in the NLD (New Linker Drug) project during his tenure at Genentech, and with his diverse ADC-related basic research and new drug development experience, brings with him outstanding know-how in this field.

LOTTE BIOLOGICS explained that, after evaluating the excellent skills and technology transfer achievements possessed by KANAPH Therapeutics, the company made the decision to undertake joint development for the establishment of an ADC technology platform.

LOTTE BIOLOGICS CEO Richard Lee said, "We plan to internalize the ADC technology platform through joint development with KANAPH Therapeutics." He added, "Our goal is to provide comprehensive ADC CDMO services by leveraging the ADC manufacturing capabilities of the Syracuse site, currently under expansion, and we aim to continuously contribute to the positive development of the overall bio-ecosystem through investments and cooperation with bioventures."

At present, LOTTE BIOLOGICS is committed to continuous open innovation for mutual growth with outstanding bioventures. In April, it announced a strategic business partnership with the ADC platform specialist PINOT BIO and has expressed a desire to promote a virtuous cycle of development in the bio-industry ecosystem. As part of this open innovation, LOTTE plans to establish a Bio-Venture Initiative in the near future to provide facilities for bioventures in its domestic Mega Plant complex and help foster an environment for technology development cooperation. This initiative is aimed at promoting a virtuous cycle within the bio-industry ecosystem through mutual growth with outstanding Korean bioventures.