Boehringer Ingelheimand AimedBio, a biotechnology company specializing in the development of antibody-based therapeutics, have announced a global collaboration and licensing agreement to develop a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy for a broad range of cancers. “ADCs are a powerful therapeutic approach that combines biological precision with chemical potency,” said Vittoria Zinzalla, Global Head of Experimental Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Targeting the specific cancer surface marker with AimedBio’s ADC may expand precision medicine treatment options for currently hard to treat cancers and potentially deliver meaningful benefit to patients. We are proud to move this program into the clinic as part of our mission to transform cancer care.” ADCs harness the specificity of monoclonal antibodies and the potency of cytotoxic agents – in this case a derivative of exatecan – to selectively target and eliminate cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The ADC developed by AimedBio targets a protein that is highly expressed across a broad spectrum of cancers, minimally present in normal tissues, and plays a significant role in tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Targeting this protein with an ADC is expected to enable highly specific cytotoxic action against the tumor cells, enhancing efficacy and supporting better outcomes for patients. “We believe this program has the potential to transform the treatment landscape for many cancers that currently lack effective options. Partnering with Boehringer will help advance this program with the speed, scale, and expertise needed to validate this novel target and approach,” said Do-Hyun Nam, CTO of AimedBio. “Boehringer’s strong commitment to next-generation cancer therapies makes them the ideal partner to carry this program forward into the clinic and beyond.” Under the terms of the agreement, AimedBio is entitled to receive up to $991 million in total, including an upfront payment, development and regulatory milestones, and commercial milestones, as well as separate royalty payments on net sales.