Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Duality Biotherapeutics Inc (DualityBio) (HKEX: 09606) announced on Friday that it has entered into a collaboration and licence agreement with biotechnology company Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG) (OTCQX: RHHBY), to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) built on the proprietary DualityBio Unique Payload Antibody Conjugate (DUPAC) platform.

DUPAC is one of DualityBio's four proprietary ADC platforms, and is dedicated to payloads with novel mechanisms of action. It comprises multiple distinct payloads, each built on a unique antitumour mechanism, paired with optimised and compatible linker technologies designed for systemic stability and tumour-specific release. DUPAC payloads are engineered based on a common set of criteria: high potency, broad-spectrum activity across tumour types, a short systemic half-life permitting rapid clearance, and a bystander effect suited to heterogeneous solid tumours.

Under the terms of the agreement, DualityBio will generate and develop ADCs against Genentech defined oncology targets using payloads from the DUPAC platform. For the collaboration programmes, DualityBio will lead discovery and early global clinical development. Genentech receives an exclusive, worldwide license to the collaboration ADCs, and will assume sole responsibility for further clinical development and commercialisation after Phase 1a.

DualityBio will receive an upfront payment of USD45m and is eligible to receive more than USD1bn in aggregate development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments across all programmes, together with tiered royalties on annual net sales of approved products.