Zymeworks and Innovative Targeting Solutions enter collaboration and license agreement to advance biotherapeutics R&D

Collaboration will use HuTARG - a first-in-class protein engineering platform.

Ali Tehrani, President and CEO of Zymeworks, stated: “We view the HuTARG platform as a leading technology for the discovery and generation of therapeutic antibodies. This further strengthens our in-house antibody discovery capabilities and accelerates the development of Zymeworks’ novel bi-specific and multi-functional biologics and drug conjugates.”

HuTARG is a first-in-class protein engineering platform and represents a disruptive technology in the field. It is the first fully mammalian technology that generates antibody diversity in vitro via RAG1/RAG2 mediated V(D)J recombination, allowing for the generation and affinity maturation of highly potent protein-based biologics.

Michael Gallo, President of Innovative Targeting Solutions Inc., remarked: “Zymeworks is a leader in the development of innovative biotherapeutics. Together with our first-in-class protein engineering technology, they will be able to discover novel medicines that can transform the lives of people with grievious illnesses.”

Under the agreement, Zymeworks will pay a technology licensing fee to integrate and use the HuTARG platform. In addition, ITS will receive, on a per product basis upon successful development and commercialization, up to $65 million in clinical and commercial milestones and low single-digit royalties on net sales. Additional financial terms have not been disclosed.