Alentis and PinotBio Partner to Develop Next-Generation Cancer ADCs

Alentis Therapeutics and PinotBio have entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting claudin-1, a protein found at high levels in several types of cancer.

The partnership aims to develop new targeted cancer therapies by combining Alentis’ claudin-1 antibody portfolio with PinotBio’s PINOT-ADC® technology platform. The companies hope to create ADCs that can address treatment resistance, improve anti-cancer activity and reduce side effects across a range of cancers with significant unmet medical needs.

Claudin-1 is overexpressed in more than ten different tumor types, making it a potential target for new cancer treatments. Alentis Therapeutics focuses on developing claudin-1-targeted therapies and has two first-in-class ADC candidates in clinical development. PinotBio brings expertise in ADC design through its platform, which offers a range of novel linkers and drug payloads.

ADCs are targeted cancer medicines that combine an antibody with a cancer-killing drug. The antibody helps deliver the drug to cancer cells, with the aim of limiting damage to healthy tissues. However, some existing ADCs face challenges, including treatment resistance, limited responses and toxicity. The companies aim to use their combined technologies to develop new ADC candidates that address these challenges.

Under the agreement, Alentis will have an exclusive option to license novel linkers and payloads from PinotBio for use in its drug development programmes. PinotBio will receive an upfront payment, along with potential development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments and royalties on net sales for each ADC candidate that Alentis chooses to develop.

Dr. Mark Pruzanski, chief executive officer of Alentis Therapeutics, said the collaboration aims to expand the therapeutic potential of claudin-1 and improve treatment options for patients with cancers that have limited effective therapies. He added that the agreement builds on an earlier research collaboration in which the companies evaluated dozens of ADC constructs and gained experience with PinotBio’s technology.

Dr. Doo Young Jung, chief executive officer of PinotBio, said the expanded partnership represents an important milestone for the company and supports the potential of its PINOT-ADC® platform. He noted that the platform allows researchers to combine different linkers and payloads to develop ADCs with improved activity and specificity.

The collaboration highlights the growing interest in ADC development as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seek more precise cancer treatments. By combining Alentis’ claudin-1 expertise with PinotBio’s ADC technologies, the companies aim to advance new targeted therapies for patients across multiple cancer types.

The next stages of the collaboration will focus on exploring and developing suitable ADC candidates, with Alentis holding the option to license selected technologies from PinotBio for further development.