Celltrion, Genuv ink deal for antibody drug development

Celltrion signed a joint R&D contract with Genuv to discover antibodies for new drug development. (Credit: Celltrion)Celltrion said on Tuesday it has signed a joint research and development contract with Genuv, a local drug developer, to discover antibodies for new drug development.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to conduct a joint study to discover and develop up to two types of antibodies using Genuv's antibody discovery platform, Shine Mouse, when Genuv's antibody discovery service is completed.

If Celltrion exercises its license-in option based on the results of the joint study, the development milestone per antibody case will be up to 33 billion won ($25 million). If the cumulative sales after commercialization reach 10 trillion won, Celltrion will pay up to 900 billion won in sales milestones to Genuv.

Industry watchers are paying much attention to the benefits of antibodies generated by natural immune processes.

Celltrion plans to develop high-value-added new drugs using Genuv’s platform which can secure various antibodies through mice.

Established in 2016, Genuv focuses on developing drugs for neurological diseases and immunotherapy, and has its own single B-cell isolation antibody discovery platform and immune-enhanced mouse, Shine Mouse. 

In particular, several antibodies, including anti-PD-1, an antibody that functions with a similar mechanism to Keytruda, have been discovered using this platform.

In addition to its flagship antibody biosimilars, Celltrion is actively pursuing new growth engines in drug development through its own development and open innovation, with domestic and foreign partnerships.

In particular, it plans to strengthen technology and product development in antibody-based high-value drugs such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), dual antibodies, anticancer viruses, and microbiome therapies.