Lonza, Qurient Strike Exclusive Deal to Advance Dual-Payload ADC Development

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Lonza and Qurient Co. Ltd. have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement that will enable Lonza to use Qurient’s cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitors in dual-payload antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) applications, expanding the contract development and manufacturing organization’s portfolio of next-generation ADC technologies.

Dual-payload ADCs are designed to carry two distinct cytotoxic agents on a single antibody, allowing developers to target cancer cells through multiple mechanisms simultaneously. Under the agreement, Lonza gains access to Qurient’s highly selective, potent clinical-stage CDK7 inhibitor, which is designed to address multiple hallmarks of cancer.

The collaboration will support the launch of SYN-duo CC, Lonza’s new dual-payload ADC format that combines a topoisomerase I inhibitor, derived from camptothecin, with a CDK7 inhibitor. The approach is intended to give ADC developers an additional option for designing dual-payload therapies, with the CDK7 inhibitor enhancing the activity of the topoisomerase I inhibitor within a single targeted treatment strategy.

“This agreement adds a differentiated CDK7 inhibitor payload technology to Lonza’s ADC toolbox and further strengthens our ability to support customers from early technology evaluation through development, manufacturing and commercialization. With SYN-duo CC and customizable dual-payload formats, we can offer customers more choice and flexibility as they design and advance the next-generation of ADC programs,” said Christian Seufert, Head of Advanced Synthesis, Lonza.

Kiyean Nam, CEO, Qurient, added, “We believe CDK7 inhibition offers significant potential as part of the next generation of dual-payload ADCs. This agreement expands the opportunity to apply our CDK7 inhibitors across a broader range of ADC programs by combining Qurient’s CDK7 expertise with Lonza’s established ADC technology and development capabilities. We look forward to seeing SYN-duo CC and future customized formats support the exploration of new approaches for patients with unmet medical needs.”

Beyond the exatecan and CDK7 inhibitor combination featured in SYN-duo CC, the agreement also allows Lonza to leverage its proprietary ADC platform to develop additional dual-payload formats incorporating Qurient’s CDK7 inhibitor alongside other payload technologies. The expanded flexibility could support the development of novel ADC candidates tailored to different tumor types and therapeutic strategies.

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