EMD Serono Collaborates with Sutro Biopharma to Develop ADCs

On Sept. 17, 2014, EMD Serono, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, and Sutro Biopharma, a San Francisco biopharmaceutical company developing antibody drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies, announced a collaboration and license agreement to develop antibody drug conjugates (ADCs).

EMD Serono will combine their knowledge of target biology with Sutro’s technology platforms in its oncology programs to develop ADCs. Both companies believe that ADCs have the potential to specifically target and deliver cytotoxic drugs to cancer cells, while safeguarding healthy tissue.

Sutro’s cell-free protein synthesis platforms will allow the companies to discover and develop multiple ADCs. Sutro will be responsible for delivering ADCs for Phase I clinical trials. EMD Serono will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization of any resulting products. EMD Serono will also be responsible making an upfront payment to Sutro and for funding R&D activities.