Biocytogen signs antibody license agreement with Pheon Therapeutics

Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals, a global biotech firm specialising in novel antibody therapeutics, has agreed to a licensing deal with Pheon Therapeutics, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developer.

Pheon Therapeutics is set to develop and commercialize an antibody created with Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals’ exclusive RenMice platforms, a technology that generates fully human antibodies with low immunogenicity, high diversity, species cross-reactivity, high affinity, and great developability. Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals will receive an upfront payment and potential development and commercial milestone payments, including single-digit royalties on net sales.

Dr Yuelei Shen — Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals President and CEO said: “We are glad to collaborate with Pheon Therapeutics. Using RenMice, we have launched Project Integrum which aims to develop fully human therapeutic antibody molecules for 1000+ targets for the development of drugs in different modalities.

“The combination of our strengths in fully human antibody discovery with Pheon’s strengths in ADC technologies may accelerate the generation of differentiated novel therapeutics that can bring benefits to patients.”

The RenMice platforms, recognised by numerous renowned biotech and biopharmaceutical firms, replace human antibody variable genes in situ. The deal boosts Pheon Therapeutics’ ADC pipeline, which already contains first-in-class and best-in-class ADCs addressing major unfulfilled clinical needs in oncology.

Bertrand Damour — Pheon Therapeutics CEO said: “This license agreement represents a significant expansion of Pheon’s pipeline, and it enhances our ability to successfully develop the next generation of ADCs.

“Biocytogen is a fantastic partner with groundbreaking technology that is well suited to our needs. We look forward to working with them and helping to find powerful therapies that can address the significant unmet patient need in solid tumours across a broad range of hard-to-treat cancers.”

Pheon Therapeutics was founded in March 2022 with a $68 million Series A financing and boasts a strong leadership team of targeted oncology therapies and ADC specialists.

Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals, based in Beijing, is a global biotech firm dedicated to the research and development of innovative antibody-based drugs. Pheon Therapeutics is an ADC specialist developing a pipeline of monotherapies for novel targets and/or with novel payloads.