AbTis and Chemexpress form strategic partnership to accelerate next-generation ADC development

Korea’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) specialist AbTis, a subsidiary of Dong-A ST, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chemexpress, a Shanghai-based CDMO company specializing in ADCs, to form a strategic Toolbox Partnership.

The Toolbox Partnership aims to integrate each company’s core technologies and solutions into a modular platform that allows clients to choose and apply the most suitable options based on their specific development needs.

By combining AbTis’ proprietary site-specific conjugation technology with Chemexpress’ one-stop ADC manufacturing capabilities, the two companies intend to enhance the safety, efficacy, and development efficiency of next-generation ADC therapeutics.

AbTis is known for its AbClick platform, which enables precise site-specific antibody conjugation, thereby improving the pharmacological profile of ADCs over conventional technologies. Chemexpress, one of the first companies to initiate ADC research in China, offers comprehensive services from research and development through GMP manufacturing.

Through the partnership, AbTis and Chemexpress will jointly develop next-generation ADCs, explore new markets, and pursue global client acquisition by leveraging their combined R&D capabilities and international networks.

The companies also plan to go beyond the AbClick platform by integrating broader expertise across antibody conjugation and industrialization to deliver innovative and efficient solutions to pharmaceutical partners worldwide.

“The partnership with Chemexpress, a pioneer in ADC research in China with deep technical expertise and talent, will significantly expand the reach of our AbClick technology,” AbTis CEO Han Tae-dong said. “We believe this collaboration will lead to safer, more effective precision medicines for patients globally.”

Chemexpress Chairman Cheng Baofu also said, “We are excited to partner with AbTis, which holds a cutting-edge third-generation ADC platform. This collaboration will accelerate the development of ADC and bioconjugate drugs and bring faster therapeutic benefits to patients around the world.”