Biocytogen and Whitehawk Partner on Bispecific ADC Development

Biocytogen and Whitehawk Therapeutics have entered into a global collaboration to develop bispecific antibody-drug conjugates, expanding efforts to apply dual-targeting antibody approaches to next-generation cancer therapies.

Under the agreement, Biocytogen will provide Whitehawk with access to up to five bispecific antibodies generated using its proprietary RenLite platform. Whitehawk will evaluate the antibodies alongside its antibody-drug conjugate, or ADC, linker-payload technologies, with the aim of identifying potential bispecific ADC candidates for further development.

Whitehawk will have the option to advance any resulting candidates into its development pipeline. If it exercises that option, the company will receive global rights and full control of the selected bispecific ADC programmes.

Bispecific ADCs combine two emerging oncology approaches. Bispecific antibodies are designed to bind to two separate targets, potentially enabling more selective tumour targeting or improved activity in cancers with complex biology. ADCs link an antibody to a cytotoxic payload, allowing chemotherapy-like agents to be delivered directly to tumour cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.

The collaboration will use Biocytogen’s RenLite platform, which supports the discovery, screening and optimisation of fully human bispecific antibodies. The platform uses a common light-chain design intended to reduce the risk of light-chain mispairing, a technical challenge that can complicate the development and manufacturing of bispecific antibodies.

By combining Biocytogen’s antibody discovery capabilities with Whitehawk’s ADC platform technologies, the companies aim to identify candidates with differentiated targeting profiles and potential therapeutic value across oncology indications.

Dr Yuelei Shen, president and chief executive officer of Biocytogen, said the partnership broadens the use of the company’s fully human bispecific antibody technology in ADC research and development.

“Whitehawk has established strong expertise in ADC technology and oncology drug development,” Shen said. “This collaboration further expands the application of Biocytogen’s fully human bispecific antibodies in ADC development.”

Shen added that Biocytogen expects to support the advancement of multiple programmes by contributing antibody molecules and integrated research capabilities to identify differentiated therapeutic candidates.

Whitehawk chief executive officer Dave Lennon, PhD, said bispecific antibodies could broaden the company’s targeting strategies as it expands its oncology pipeline.

“Bispecific antibodies are a promising approach to broadening our targeting strategies, and Biocytogen’s established platform provides a robust framework for exploring this modality in combination with our ADC platform,” Lennon said.

Whitehawk said the collaboration could support its ambition to deliver new ADC investigational new drug applications over the next 12 to 24 months. The company did not disclose which cancer targets or tumour types will be prioritised under the partnership.

Financial terms include an upfront payment to Biocytogen, as well as potential development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Biocytogen is also eligible to receive low single-digit royalties on net sales of any products resulting from the collaboration. The companies did not disclose the value of the upfront payment, potential milestones or other financial details.