Syndivia receives the exclusive license from SATT Conectus to DARx technology, which allows them to generate monodisperse 1-to-1 conjugates starting from off the shelf protein substrates (e.g., therapeutic antibodies). Antibody-drug and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates with a degree of conjugation of 1 (DAR1), obtained using DARx, were demonstrated to have improved therapeutic indexes due to improved PK/PD parameters.
STRASBOURG, France, Jan. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Syndivia, a biotechnology company focused on the development of new therapeutic modalities for solid cancers based on a specific targeting of the tumour microenvironment and anatomical hallmarks, announced today that it has been granted an exclusive, worldwide license by SATT Conectus for a technology (DARx) that opens access to a wide range of previously inaccessible biologics formats, such as antibody–drug, antibody–oligonucleotide, and antibody–interleukin conjugates with a defined degree of conjugation of 1. This minimum possible degree of conjugation was found to have important advantages for addressing solid cancer indications in vivo. The development of this technology for both therapeutic and diagnostics applications will be carried out by Syndivia in Strasbourg, France.
Commenting on this news, Dr Sasha Koniev, Syndivia’s CEO, said, « The unique feature of DARx is that it allows us to readily link in a straightforward way any off-the-shelf antibody with virtually any payload to generate 1-to-1 immunoconjugates. The results we have obtained to date in the ADC and AOC domains look very promising, namely in in vivo models of highly heterogenic solid tumours. »
Caroline Dreyer, Conectus’ CEO, shares that enthusiasm: « Cutting-edge academic research has been the cornerstone of Syndivia’s success story thanks to the scientific excellence of the BioFunctional Chemistry (BFC) team at the CNRS/Université de Strasbourg led by Alain Wagner and with the support of Conectus. Today, Syndivia is expanding its capabilities with this new enabling technology. Conectus has once again demonstrated the relevance of its investment in the proof-of-concept of DARx technology, showcasing its broad application scope. After a first technology transfer at Syndivia’s inception, this new license also illustrates the virtuous circle of our collaborative co-conception model, whereby the BFC team, Syndivia, and Conectus work jointly and as a result can create economic and innovative momentum. »
Syndivia will undertake further development of the technology and the resulting drug candidates in exchange for undisclosed upfront and milestone payments to Conectus.
About DARx
DARx technology allows direct covalent linkage of payloads with off-the-shelf proteins, including antibodies, in a defined 1-to-1 manner, thus yielding bioconjugates with a defined degree of conjugation.
About SATT Conectus
SATT* Conectus Alsace is the main entry point for business partners and companies for accessing all the innovations and capabilities from public research in Alsace, one of the top-ranked territories for the excellence of research in France. It borders Germany and Switzerland at the intersection of the most innovative areas in Europe. Thanks to its investment fund (up to €500k per innovative project), SATT Conectus offers advanced applicative technologies whose proof of concept has been established and which are ready to industrialize. As a result, investors will have access to groundbreaking startups built around those breakthrough, yet matured, technologies. Another type of collaboration allows companies to co-develop high-potential innovative projects with public research, in order to tailor them to their specific needs.
Since 2012: 1,046 collaborative research contracts signed; 102 innovative projects financed to a total of €31.7 M; 86 technologies transferred; 17 startups created; Over €100M raised from investors. Shareholders: CNRS, Inserm, ENGEES, INSA, Université de Strasbourg, Université de Haute Alsace, Bpifrance.
www.conectus.fr/en ○ http://conectlabs.conectus.fr/en ○ @ConectusAlsace
* Organization for accelerating tech transfer
About Syndivia
Syndivia is a research-driven biotechnology company that is developing a pipeline of targeted therapies for solid cancers by leveraging a unique microenvironment for and anatomical hallmarks of these tumours. Syndivia’s mission is to develop new therapies for patients with the most difficult cancer indications. For more information, visit https://www.syndivia.com.
Media Contact
Syndivia
Sasha Koniev – CEO
Phone: 00 33 3 67 10 42 20
Email: enquiry@syndivia.com