By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : June 10, 2026 8:57 am
The company gets access to Lonza’s clinically validated SYNtecan linker-payload platform as it prepares an IND filing for its acute myeloid leukemia therapy in 2027
AmMax Bio, a clinical-stage biopharma company, has entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Lonza to support the development of its lead hematological cancer candidate, AMB-104.
The agreement grants AmMax access to Lonza’s exatecan-based SYNtecan™ linker-payload platform, a clinically validated technology designed to improve the efficacy and tolerability of antibody-drug conjugates.
AmMax has combined the platform with its clinically validated monoclonal antibody to create AMB-104, a tumor-targeted therapy intended for the treatment of hematological malignancies.
The company is positioning AMB-104 as a potential solution for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who develop resistance to the widely used venetoclax and azacitidine treatment regimen.
According to AmMax, the ADC is designed to directly eliminate monocytic AML cells through the targeted delivery of a cytotoxic payload, potentially addressing a significant unmet need in the treatment landscape.
AmMax plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AMB-104 in early 2027, marking a key step toward clinical evaluation of the therapy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lonza will manufacture components associated with the licensed technologies, while AmMax will retain responsibility for the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the resulting ADC product.
Jan Vertommen, Vice President, Commercial Development, Advanced Synthesis, Lonza, commented: “The continued evolution of the ADC landscape underscores the demand for robust, differentiated technologies that unlock the differentiated therapeutic potential of novel ADCs.”
“Our collaboration with AmMax reflects this market development, and we are pleased to support their program across the development phases,” added Vertommen.
Larry Hsu, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AmMax, said, “This licensing agreement marks a significant milestone in our efforts to address critical unmet needs in oncology.
“We are excited to leverage Lonza’s validated conjugation and linker-payload technologies with our monoclonal antibody to optimize the therapeutic potential of AMB-104,” added Hsu.