NJ Bio, and Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services have announced a research collaboration to expand access to AJICAP, a site-specific antibody conjugation platform, for early-stage drug discovery and development.

The partnership will enable NJ Bio to integrate the AJICAP technology into its discovery and development workflows, enhancing its capabilities in antibody conjugation and linker technologies. The move is expected to support the development of next-generation antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and other targeted therapies.

AJICAP is designed to allow precise chemical modification of antibodies at defined lysine sites without requiring genetic engineering. This approach helps maintain antibody structure and function while improving pharmacokinetics, therapeutic performance and overall drug development efficiency. The platform also supports a variety of stable linker systems and can be seamlessly incorporated into existing drug development programmes.

The technology is widely recognised for its scalability, reproducibility and compatibility with standard antibody production processes. By adopting AJICAP, NJ Bio aims to strengthen its position as an end-to-end partner for biopharmaceutical companies, offering integrated solutions from early drug discovery through preclinical development.

According to Julien Dugal-Tessier, President and Chief Scientific Officer at NJ Bio, the collaboration aligns with the company’s focus on delivering advanced solutions that accelerate drug discovery timelines and improve outcomes. He added that the integration of a proven, scalable conjugation platform will help expand access to innovative antibody-based therapies.

Yasuyuki Otake, Corporate Executive and General Manager of Bio-Pharma Services at Ajinomoto, noted that AJICAP was developed to enable precise and scalable antibody conjugation. He said the collaboration with NJ Bio will broaden the platform’s reach and provide biopharma innovators with enhanced tools to develop targeted treatments.

The companies expect the collaboration to reduce development risks, shorten timelines and improve project outcomes for clients working on complex biologics and targeted therapies.