Abzena has entered into a Master Services Agreement with a US biotech company to provide process development and manufacturing services to progress a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) towards clinical trials.

The development and GMP manufacturing of the ADC has a value of over $5 million. The services will be carried out mainly by Abzena’s chemistry and biomanufacturing groups in Bristol, PA and San Diego, CA.

Abzena has worked with the US-based company for a number of years, with the relationship built around Abzena’s chemistry services. Following the initial chemistry development, Abzena subsequently developed a cell line that will now be used to produce the antibody at its GMP manufacturing facility. Abzena will also conduct GMP production of the ADC payload reagent and the conjugation process to create the ADC for initial clinical study.

“Drawing on Abzena’s integrated service offering, this ADC can progress through the preclinical and clinical trial process, with the ultimate goal of developing a new potential cancer treatment.” said John Burt, chief executive officer of Abzena.