VERAXA Biotech Signs Exclusive License Agreement with Cherry Biolabs to Expedite the Development of New Technology Platforms

May 13, 2024
Press Release

New IP combined with VERAXA’s deep ADC and antibody expertise to give rise to new therapeutic strategies with unique safety features

HEIDELBERG, Germany, May 13, 2024 -- VERAXA Biotech GmbH, an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, today announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Cherry Biolabs GmbH, a spin-off from the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, grantingVERAXA the exclusive rights to Cherry Biolabs' technology platform. Thetransaction adds to VERAXA’s ongoing technology development activities, which aim to establish a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology and novel antibody-based therapy concepts with a high priority on improved safety features and less side effects for patients.

“VERAXA has established an industry-leading suite of technologies to develop therapeutic antibody and ADC candidates meeting the highest demands for a range of crucial drug-like properties,” commented Christoph Antz, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of VERAXA. “Our efforts with regard to technology and pipeline development won’t stop here, and the potential synergies of our current capabilities with novel antibody formats and smart architectural choices are significant.”

“As the oncology sector matures further, the medical need will increasingly shift to superior safety profiles and reducing or avoiding the severe side effects seen with the current-generation products,” commented Heinz Schwer, Ph.D., CBO of VERAXA. “At VERAXA, we tackle this challenge both organically, through ongoing in-house research efforts, and will consider acquiring access to relevant IP and complementary platforms selectively.”

The Hemibody concept, originally discovered by Cherry Biolabs founders Prof. Dr. Gernot Stuhler and Dr. Thomas Bumm at the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, uses complementary antibody fragments to create T-cell engaging molecules in vivo once aset of conditions are met. The concept is suitable to address both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Under the terms of today’s agreement, VERAXA acquires an exclusive worldwide license for the platform and gains freedom to operate against any target combination in proprietary or partnered projects.

 

About VERAXA Biotech

At VERAXA Biotech, we strive to establish the premiere drug discovery and development engine for antibody drug conjugates and other novel antibody-based therapy concepts. Wielding a suite of transformative technology innovations and applying thorough quality-by-design principles in drug discovery, we are accelerating our pipeline of antibody drug conjugates and novel antibody formats into and through clinical development. VERAXA Biotech originates from scientific discoveries made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a world-leading institute for life science research and ground-breaking enabling technologies. For more information, please visit www.veraxa.com.

 

Contact

VERAXA Biotech GmbH

Dr. Christoph Antz, CEO

Telephone: +49-6221-3521330

Email: antz@veraxa.com

For  media

Mario Brkulj

Valency Communications

Telephone: +49 160 9352 9951

Email: mbrkulj@valencycomms.eu

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