BioWa, Inc. (BioWa) has entered into a research agreement which provides GlaxoSmithkline (GSK) with access to BioWa's patented Potelligent Technology platform for the development of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) enhanced antibodies.

The agreement grants GSK non-exclusive rights to research and develop antibodies based on Potelligent Technology for an undisclosed number of targets. In return, BioWa will receive an upfront payment, and license fees. Other details of the agreement are not disclosed.

"GSK has long time remained a strong leader in the pharmaceutical industry for both innovation and marketing," said Dr. Masamichi Koike, president and CEO of BioWa. "With the breadth and depth of GSK research, we are pleased to partner with a company that has large capabilities in all sectors of research. This collaboration will fulfil BioWa's mission to create benefit of Potelligent Technology to patients as quickly as possible."

Potelligent Technology improves potency and efficacy of antibody therapeutics, by enhancing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), one of the major mechanism of antibody therapeutics. Potelligent Technology involves the reduction of the amount of fucose in the carbohydrate structure of an antibody using a proprietary fucosyltransferase-knockout CHO cell line as a production cell. Research shows that Potelligent Technology significantly enhances ADCC activity of an antibody in vitro, thereby increasing the potential for improved activity in vivo.

BioWa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd., Japan's pharmaceutical and largest biotech company, and is the exclusive worldwide licensor of Potelligent Technology, which creates high ADCC monoclonal antibodies.