Avacta Group plc partners with Glythera

The licence deal followed a proof of concept study. The study was designed to demonstrate that Avacta’s Affimer technology could be combined with Glythera’s Permalink conjugation chemistry to provide a technically superior drug conjugate platform with shorter development times, simpler, more consistent production and greater chemical stability. As Affimers are smaller than antibodies they might show better tumour penetration. "When combined with the benefits of Glythera’s Permalink chemistry, we believe that there is potential to create a competitive, differentiated drug conjugate platform," said Dr Alastair Smith, CEO of Actava Group. By combining technologies, the companies hope to differentiate from competitor and gain a big slice of the current US$1bn antibody drug conjugate market, which is estimated to grow to US$14.6bn annually by 2030. The companies did not disclose any financial details on the deal.