Researchers at Araris Biotech AG have developed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology that allows single-step connection of antibody to drug via a novel RKAA peptide linker that stably prevents the drug from acting systemically.

Medicovestor Inc.’s Adobind MC-001 has been awarded orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Adobind MC-001 is a chemoimmunotherapy antibody-drug conjugate that integrates proprietary enhancements to antibody structure, payload delivery and tumor engagement.

Sunrock Biopharma SL and Shanghai Escugen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. have joined forces in a strategic partnership to codevelop SRB-123, a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting C-C motif chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in multiple solid tumors, including pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. announced June 13 that it struck a potential $5.33 billion deal with Astrazeneca plc to develop novel preclinical small-molecule candidates using CSPC’s AI-driven drug development platform.

Four biotech companies from South Korea announced new or planned financings mid-June, including GC Genome Corp. Rznomics Inc., G2Gbio Inc. and Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd. Six major mid-June deals included R&D pacts between Y-Biologics Inc. and Crosspoint Therapeutics, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Salipro Biotech AB, Next & Bio Inc. and GC Cell Corp., Galux Inc. and Hanall Biopharma Co. Ltd., Celltrion Inc. and Onconic Therapeutics Inc., and SK Plasma Co. Ltd. and Aimedbio Inc.

Researchers from Lifordi Immunotherapeutics Inc. have developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) called LFD-200 that aims to selectively deliver a potent glucocorticoid (GC) payload directly to immune cells. This strategy may potentially offer a new way to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions while minimizing systemic toxicity.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. announced June 13 that it struck a potential $5.33 billion deal with Astrazeneca plc to develop novel preclinical small-molecule candidates using CSPC’s AI-driven drug development platform.

Four biotech companies from South Korea announced new or planned financings mid-June, including GC Genome Corp. Rznomics Inc., G2Gbio Inc. and Mezzion Pharma Co. Ltd. Six major mid-June deals included R&D pacts between Y-Biologics Inc. and Crosspoint Therapeutics, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Salipro Biotech AB, Next & Bio Inc. and GC Cell Corp., Galux Inc. and Hanall Biopharma Co. Ltd., Celltrion Inc. and Onconic Therapeutics Inc., and SK Plasma Co. Ltd. and Aimedbio Inc.

Ligachem Biosciences Inc. signed two license agreements with Novarock Biotherapeutics Inc., a subsidiary of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd., to bring in two of Novarock’s antibodies and create antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidates with novel cancer targets.