LigaChem Biosciences(141080) secured sole development rights to B7-H4–targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) "LNCB74," which had been co-developed with NextCure in the United States.
LigaChem Biosciences said on the 7th that it signed a transition and succession agreement with NextCure for LNCB74.
Under the agreement, LigaChem Biosciences obtained sole decision-making authority over development, manufacturing, and commercialization, and also secured exclusive licenses to the related technology and the right to transfer the technology to third parties.
In return, it will pay NextCure development, approval, and commercialization milestones, as well as sales royalties.
The deal follows NextCure's merger with autoimmune and inflammatory disease corporations Arvier Therapeutics and its shift in business focus from oncology to autoimmune diseases.
LigaChem Biosciences decided to end co-development due to the partner's strategic change and to continue development alone after taking over the development rights to LNCB74.
LNCB74 is an oncology drug candidate that applies NextCure's B7-H4–targeting antibody with LigaChem Biosciences' ADC platform technology and an MMAE payload. It is designed to release the drug selectively in tumor tissues and is being developed primarily for gynecologic cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer.
LNCB74 is currently in a phase 1 clinical trial in the United States for patients with advanced solid tumors. LigaChem Biosciences noted that the trial will continue without interruption, and that trial operations, regulatory work, and the status as the holder of the U.S. Investigational New Drug (IND) will be transferred sequentially.
Park Se-jin, CEO of LigaChem Biosciences, said, "This agreement enables the company to take the lead in deciding development and commercialization strategies," adding, "We will proceed with phase 1 without setbacks and, based on the sole rights obtained, also pursue global technology transfer."