Lisata Therapeutics and Catalent Announce Global Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) License Agreement

Core Insights - Catalent has secured global rights to evaluate certepetide and its analogs for use as SMARTag payloads in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting difficult-to-treat diseases [1][2] - The collaboration is based on positive preclinical results indicating the potential of certepetide to enhance tumor targeting and treatment outcomes [3][4] Company Overview - Lisata Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for advanced solid tumors and serious diseases, with its lead product candidate being certepetide [5][6] - Catalent, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization, aims to develop and supply products that improve patient health [8] Licensing Agreement Details - Under the licensing agreement, Catalent gains worldwide, non-exclusive rights to develop and commercialize bioconjugate products containing certepetide, including partnerships with third parties [2] - Lisata is eligible for over $10 million in tiered milestone payments and revenue sharing from future sales and partnerships [2] Preclinical Study Insights - Preclinical studies have shown that incorporating iRGD peptides into ADCs may improve efficacy and pharmacokinetics, suggesting a novel payload class [4] - The collaboration will be highlighted at the upcoming World ADC conference in San Diego [3] Certepetide Mechanism and Designation - Certepetide is designed to activate a novel uptake pathway for anti-cancer drugs, enhancing their ability to target and penetrate solid tumors [6][7] - Certepetide has received multiple designations, including Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designation for various cancers [7]