Reaching global markets

Effective cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) along the drug development value chain can accelerate the process and can generate innovative candidates for novel therapies in areas of unmet medical needs. In particular, technical collaborations that bridge early phases in target identification and lead development promise a successful edge in global competition. However, most European biotech SMEs face the challenge of identifying and forging profitable international partnerships.

Providing bridging technologies

There is a constant need for technologies that identify and validate novel drug targets in a short period of time to accelerate bench to bed development. SMEs with a powerful, unique tech platform and a service-oriented business are preferred partners for these early stages. YUMAB GmbH is an expert in the development of fully-human antibodies closest to natural germline among those on the market. YUMAB antibodies combine maximum epitope diversity (library size >1011) with minimal risk for immunogenicity. Thus, the YUMAB platform also provides access to difficult targets, like membrane-spanning proteins, and enables a de-risked clinical testing. First antibody candidates are identified within weeks, saving precious time for later development stages. YUMAB steadily builds a network with SME decision-makers at global, early drug development events.

A flexible, customer-oriented approach is crucial for successful partnerships. YUMAB’s advanced, fully-human antibody platform is applicable to a broad therapeutic spectrum. Also, YUMAB can isolate most promising antibody candidates from patient groups with unique immune systems. The versatility of the technology enables engineered antibodies with adjustments in affinity, cross-activity, or stability – in diverse antibody formats.

Flexibility is key

The cooperation with US-based company RubrYc Therapeutics, Inc. supports this flexible approach: “Our industry is a leader in many aspects for international collaboration – discovery and development of many new medicines simply would not be possible without such collaboration. We have had a great experience collaborating with YUMAB, where complementary technologies and capabilities have been flexibly and efficiently deployed to reveal critical aspects of our approach to biotherapeutic discovery,” said Isaac J. Bright, Co-Founder and CEO of RubrYc Therapeutics, Inc.

Another, often underestimated success factor is the proffering of accommodating business conditions. YUMAB grants attractive options to facilitate collaborations with SMEs and offers its human antibody platform in fee-for-service solutions. This model was key to YUMAB’s fruitful collaboration with Singapore-based academic partners, which has resulted in the foundation of Enleofen Bio Pte. Ltd. With a novel antibody engineered by YUMAB, Enleofen focuses on the development of first-in-class immunotherapeutics for the treatment of fibrotic diseases by targeting interleukin-11.