Samsung, LegoChem to collaborate on next-gen cancer treatment

Samsung Biologics and LegoChem Biosciences will collaborate on ADC technology for cancer treatment.

Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim speaks during the annual 42nd J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference at the main Grand Ballroom in the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California. [SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS]

Samsung Biologics teamed up with LegoChem Biosciences to jointly develop antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology, a drug modality designed for targeted therapies for cancer treatment, or so-called biological missile drugs.

Under the agreement, Samsung Biologics will participate in the essential antibody development for ADC therapies, offering contract development organization (CDO) services to LegoChem, from cell line development to the production of clinical materials.

ADCs differ from chemotherapy by sparing healthy cells in targeted areas. They have been touted as a next-level technology in cancer treatment.

LegoChem Biosciences, founded in 2006, is known for its capabilities in the ADC area. It signed a historic $1.7 billion technology transfer deal with Janssen Biotech for LCB84, its ADC candidate for solid tumors, last year.

To date, LegoChem has secured 13 technology transfer agreements with global pharmaceutical companies, amounting to a potential 8.7 trillion won ($6.5 billion) in value. In January, Korean confectionery giant Orion became LegoChem's largest stakeholder.

“We will actively continue our investments to gain competitiveness in the ADC field, which is emerging as the next generation of biotechnology,” Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim said. “The technological competitiveness will be achieved by strengthening cooperation with promising local biotechs such as LegoChem.”

Samsung Biologics is advancing the construction of a dedicated ADC manufacturing facility, which it aims to complete within the year.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]