Samsung Biologics, LegoChem team up to develop ADC drugs

Samsung Biologics Co., the biotech arm of South Korea’s Samsung Group, will collaborate with LegoChem Biosciences Inc. to develop antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics.

Samsung Biologics announced on Wednesday that it has signed a contract development organization (CDO) agreement with LegoChem, a leading ADC player in Korea.

Under the agreement, Samsung Biologics will provide LegoChem with comprehensive CDO-related services, from cell line development to clinical material production.

“Collaboration between Samsung Biologics and LegoChem Biosciences will enable us to deliver on our common goal to develop and manufacture efficient and safe therapeutics for patients,” said John Rim, chief executive officer and president of Samsung Biologics. “We look forward to working with LegoChem Biosciences to support their pipeline of innovative ADC candidates and secure new opportunities in the fast-growing ADC field.”

LegoChem, founded in 2006, has distinctive research and development (R&D) capabilities in ADC technology and synthetic new drug areas. It has signed a total of 13 technology transfer agreements with global pharmaceutical companies, amounting to a maximum of 8.7 trillion won ($6.55 billion).

“LegoChem Biosciences had previously supplied antibodies for ADC through only overseas companies, but we expect that we will be able to secure a stable domestic supply chain through this contract,” said Kim Yong-zu, CEO and president of LegoChem Biosciences.