Zymeworks Inc.,a privately held biotherapeutics company,  and Innovative Targeting Solutions (ITS) have entered into a research collaboration, which will complement Zymeworks’ efforts in the discovery, research, and development of novel biotherapeutics.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Zymeworks will in-license and integrate ITS’ proprietary HuTARG platform to help identify and develop therapeutics directed towards challenging disease targets.  

Ali Tehrani, Ph.D., president and CEO of Zymeworks, stated, “We view the HuTARG platform as a leading technology for the discovery and generation of therapeutic antibodies. This further strengthens our in-house antibody discovery capabilities and accelerates the development of Zymeworks’ novel bi-specific and multi-functional biologics and drug conjugates.”

HuTARG is a first-in-class protein engineering platform and represents a disruptive technology in the field. It is the first fully mammalian technology that generates antibody diversity in vitro via RAG1/RAG2 mediated V(D)J recombination, allowing for the generation and affinity maturation of highly potent protein-based biologics.

Michael Gallo, Ph.D., president of Innovative Targeting Solutions Inc., remarked, “Zymeworks is a leader  in the development of innovative biotherapeutics. Together with our first-in-class protein engineering technology, they will be able to discover novel medicines that can transform the lives of people with grievious illnesses.”

Under the agreement, Zymeworks will pay a technology licensing fee to integrate and use the HuTARG platform. In addition, ITS will receive, on a per product basis upon successful development and commercialization, up to USD$ 65 million in clinical and commercial milestones and low single-digit royalties on net sales. Additional financial terms have not been disclosed.

Founded in 2008, Innovative Targeting Solutions Inc. is a privately-held company that has developed a next generation protein engineering platform for the generation of fully human antibody and T cell receptor based therapeutics using its proprietary HuTARG technology.

Zymeworks is a privately held biotherapeutics company that is developing best-in-class Azymetric bi-specific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.