WuXi XDC Licenses ADC Technology to Ona Therapeutics

WuXi XDC has entered into an out-licensing agreement with Ona Therapeutics to support the development of a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for treatment-resistant cancers.

Under the agreement, WuXi XDC will give Ona Therapeutics an exclusive global license to its WuXiTecan-2 payload-linker technology platform. Ona will use the technology to develop an ADC targeting a single cancer-related target.

The financial terms include an upfront payment and potential development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. WuXi XDC will also receive tiered royalties on net sales if the resulting ADC is successfully commercialised.

WuXi XDC will provide chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) development and manufacturing support through its integrated ADC contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO) platform.

Ona Therapeutics is developing ADCs aimed at cancers that have limited treatment options. The company plans to combine its target discovery capabilities with WuXi XDC’s payload-linker technology for the new programme.

The collaboration marks the second partnership between the two companies in the ADC field. Their previous agreement in 2024 involved licensing technologies to support Ona’s ADC pipeline.

Jimmy Li, CEO of WuXi XDC, said the companies’ capabilities are complementary, with Ona focused on identifying new cancer targets and WuXi XDC providing ADC technology and development support.

WuXi XDC said the WuXiTecan-2 platform uses a hydrophilic linker designed to improve ADC stability. The company said the latest deal represents the platform’s second out-licensing agreement within six months.

Valerie Vanhooren, co-founder and CEO of Ona Therapeutics, said the new agreement builds on the companies’ earlier collaboration and will help advance the company’s ADC programme toward clinical development.

The partnership highlights the growing role of ADC technology platforms in developing targeted cancer therapies. By combining new target discovery with specialised payload-linker technology and integrated manufacturing support, the companies aim to move the new ADC candidate toward the clinic.