Abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, announced that Orion has obtained an exclusive focused commercial license to one of Abzena’s monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that targets a cancer of high clinical unmet need. The antibody will strengthen Orion’s broad oncology-focused drug Research and Development (R&D) pipeline.

The antibody was designed and developed at Abzena’s Cambridge, UK, early phase R&D facility using their proprietary Composite Human Antibody (CHAb™) technology as part of an integrated developability platform approach to select a superior lead candidate. Abzena’s scientists screened antibodies against a number of parameters, including functionality, safety, and manufacturability, to identify a lead candidate devoid of risks that could impact downstream development processes and ultimately affect the clinical outcome of the antibody. Leveraging the AbZelectPRO™ cell line development (CLD) platform, a highly stable and productive manufacturing cell line for this antibody was generated for manufacture.

Campbell Bunce, Chief Scientific Officer of Abzena, said, “We are delighted to have partnered with Orion on the design and development of our CHAb-designed mAb to support their extensive oncology-focused Research and Development pipeline. Using our uniquely integrated developability approach along with our streamlined AbZelectPRO™ CLD platform, we were able to design a de-risked lead antibody that offers Orion’s program the best chances of success in the clinic.”

Antti Haapalinna, Vice President, External Science and Partnering, R&D, Orion Corporation, said, “We are very satisfied with the excellent and transparent collaboration and the results it has delivered in our common antibody program.”

Abzena has over 20 years of experience designing, developing, and manufacturing monoclonal antibody programs.  The organization can support antibody programs at its Cambridge, UK, and San Diego, CA, USA, facilities, with downstream process development and GMP manufacturing activities taking place in the US up to 2,000 liters in scale.