Asahi Kasei Life Science has acquired the license rights for a novel Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) technology from The Noguchi Institute. This modality enables precise control over the drug-to-antibody ratio and attachment site of single- and dual-payload ADCs, representing a breakthrough toward more effective and safer use in a broad range of therapies.

Under this agreement, the two partners will advance initiatives to commercialise ADC drug platforms, including possible future sub-licensing to biopharma companies and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) such as Bionova Scientific, an Asahi Kasei company. In addition, both parties will engage in joint research to further refine the technology to solve medical challenges.

Compared to conventional treatments, bioconjugation with ADCs more selectively targets cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding cells. Drawing from its long-standing research into carbohydrates and glycans, The Noguchi Institute has developed a novel ADC technology with a superior molecular structure conformity. This is expected to improve the predictability of drug efficacy and safety, enabling stable therapeutic effects.

Asahi Kasei Life Science continually explores opportunities for collaboration with external partners, seeking technologies that will lead to future drug development. The Noguchi Institute’s ADC modality not only improves precision but can also combine dual payloads onto a single antibody. These characteristics offer the ability to add different payloads for targeting more diseases with better specificity and potentially less toxicity.