GenScript Partnership

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On September 26, 2021, GenScript ProBio and AskGene signed a license agreement for GenScript ProBio’s single-domain antibody (sdAb) targeting an immune checkpoint target. GenScript ProBio grants a non-exclusive global license to AskGene to use GenScript ProBio’s sdAb targeting immune checkpoint target for discovery, development and commercialization of its antibody and derivative products. In the future, GenScript ProBio will be the preferred partner for CMC development, clinical and commercial manufacturing of this product.

AskGene, founded in 2012 in Los Angeles, California, is aspired to become the leader in the cytokine prodrug field. The sdAb involved in this license agreement will be paired with AskGene’s proprietary next-generation cytokine therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy and other applications. Compared with traditional antibodies, single-domain antibodies feature lower molecular weight, higher stability, and easier recombinant expression.

Since the establishment of its sdAb discovery platform in 2010, GenScript has accumulated over 11 years of sdAb research and development experience. At present, GenScript ProBio has built up integrated sdAb immune library, sdAb naïve library, sdAb humanization, antibody screening and functional validation platforms. GenScript ProBio has so far reached 6 licensing deals on sdAb products with global biotech and pharma.

“We are very glad to cooperate with AskGene, a team of experienced scientists, and we feel so honored to provide support for the promising next-generation cytokine therapeutic projects,” Dr. Brian Min, CEO of GenScript ProBio said. “I believe the cooperation will further show the technology and platform advantages of both parties. We will keep an eye on the progress of this project and look forward to using GenScript ProBio’s solid CMC development experience to accelerate the project to clinic application and benefit patients.”

AskGene’s Jeff Lu, Ph.D., CEO, said, “GenScript ProBio has profound accumulation and core competitiveness in single domain antibody discovery. We are very pleased to cooperate with this highly professional CDMO company to support us in developing the promising next-generation cytokine therapeutics to benefit patients. We look forward to cooperating with GenScript ProBio to jointly accelerate the transformation of medicine and create a better future.”

AskGene Pharma Signs a Patent Licensing Agreement

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As a subsidiary of Aosaikang Pharm (SZ002755), Askgene Pharma (AskGene) signed a patent licensing agreement (Cross-License Agreement) with Xilio Therapeutics (Xilio), the news was announced on February 19, 2021.

Xilio Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing potent, tumor-selective immunotherapies for patients with cancer located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Askgene license Xilio in the development, production and commercialization of a specific product (The product) using its holdings of SmartKine technology (cytokine retrofit technology platform with global intellectual property rights) patents. Xilio pays Askgene a non-refundable down payment of $6 million for the patent license upon authorization, Xilio pays a non-refundable milestone payment to Askgene after the product is approved for listing overseas; and Xilio will also pay Askgene’s non-refundable sales commission from its annual net sales as agreed in the agreement. Askgene has acquired the right to develop, produce and commercialize this product for cancer treatment indications in the Asia Pacific region (except Japan). At the same time, the priority right to access autoimmune disease indications is retained. (Resource: http://www.cs.com.cn/sylm/jsbd/202102/t20210219_6139837.html)

This cooperation will accelerate the company’s research and development pipeline layout in the field of cancer immunity, promote the company’s own research and development platform to achieve product transformation, is conducive to jointly play the advantages of research and development of both sides and promote the company’s internationalization, in line with the company’s innovative drug development.