Samsung Biologics has announced a collaboration with LegoChem Biosciences for the development of Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) therapeutics.
On Feb.7, Samsung Biologics revealed it had entered into a new Contract Development Organization (CDO) agreement with LegoChem Biosciences (hereinafter referred to as LegoChem Bio), a leading representative in the domestic ADC field.
Founded in 2006, LegoChem Bio possesses distinctive R&D capabilities in ADC technology and synthetic new drug development. The company drew significant attention last year when it licensed LCB84, its ADC therapeutic candidate for solid tumors, to Janssen Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, for up to US$1.7 billion. To date, LegoChem Bio has secured 13 technology transfer contracts with global pharmaceutical companies, totaling up to 8.7 trillion won in value.
Through this agreement, Samsung Biologics will participate in the development of antibodies essential for ADC therapeutics. The company has agreed to provide CDO services to LegoChem Bio, covering everything from cell line development to the production of clinical materials.
John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, stated, “We will actively continue our investment efforts to secure competitiveness in the ADC field, which is emerging as the next-generation biotechnology, and to preemptively respond to the market. We aim to enhance our technological competitiveness through strengthening collaborations with promising domestic biotech companies like LegoChem Bio.”
Meanwhile, Samsung Biologics is also advancing the construction of a dedicated ADC pharmaceutical production facility, aiming for completion within the year. Through the Samsung Life Science Fund, the company has invested in promising biotech firms with ADC technology. Following an investment in April last year in Araris Biotech, a Swiss company specializing in ADC linker and conjugation technology, Samsung Biologics invested in AimedBio, a domestic biotech company, in September.