Duality Biologics Announces Over $1 Billion ADC Licensing Deal with GSK for Preclinical Candidate DB-1324

Today（On December 4, 2024, Duality Biologics announced that it had entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with GSK for the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) DB-1324.According to the agreement, GSK will obtain exclusive rights globally (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao) to advance the research, development, and commercialization process of this ADC drug.

According to the terms of the agreement, GSK will make an upfront payment$30 million upfront paymentAnd other milestone payments before exercising the option to obtain an exclusive license to advance the research, development, and commercialization of DB-1324 worldwide (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao). If GSK exercises the license option, DualityBio will receive an option exercise fee along with subsequent milestone payments at different stages of development, regulatory registration, and commercialization.Up to $975 millionAfter commercial success, GSK will pay tiered royalties at different rates on global net sales (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao) and receive royalties from net sales in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

DB-1324 is an innovative ADC molecule developed based on Duality Immune Toxin Antibody Conjugates (DITAC), a proprietary and clinically validated platform from Yingen Biotech.It is currently in the preclinical development stage, and its research direction may target gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.In addition, this ADC drug has the potential to be used in combination with multiple oncology products from GSK, thereby strategically complementing GSK's oncology portfolio.

Dr. Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Oncology R&D at GSK, stated: "GSK has been deeply involved in oncology research for many years, aiming to create an innovative portfolio of ADC drugs. The power of ADC lies in its ability to precisely target cancer cells while protecting normal cells. Based on this unique mechanism, GSK is confident in making ADC and its combinations a strategic focus for the company, developing innovative therapies for the most challenging cancers."

Dr. Zhongyuan Zhu, founder and CEO of DualityBio, stated: "DualityBio is committed to becoming a global leader in the next generation of ADC companies. We are delighted to have reached a landmark collaboration agreement with GSK. Through this partnership, we will jointly advance the ADC drug pipeline in the field of gastrointestinal cancer, addressing unmet clinical needs. DualityBio's unique ADC technology platform can continuously empower global partners, providing more innovative treatment options for cancer patients worldwide."

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