Roche’s Genentech signs ADC partnership with DualityBio worth over $1 billion

Roche’s Genentech has entered a global collaboration and license agreement with Shanghai-based DualityBio to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for oncology.

DualityBio will receive $45 million upfront and could earn more than $1 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties on product sales.

The partnership centers on DualityBio’s DUPAC platform, which uses novel payload mechanisms intended to address resistance to currently approved ADCs, many of which rely on topoisomerase-based payloads.

DualityBio will handle discovery and early global clinical development through Phase 1a. Genentech will receive exclusive worldwide rights and take over further development and commercialization after Phase 1a.

Specific cancer targets and candidates were not disclosed. The deal gives Roche access to a portfolio-building ADC platform rather than a single late-stage drug.