March, 2019, Ambrx, Inc. and BeiGene, Ltd announced a global research and development collaboration. BeiGene is a global, commercial-stage, research-based biotechnology company focused on immuno-oncology cancer therapeutics. With a team of over 2,200 employees in China and across the globe, BeiGene has a pipeline consisting of monoclonal antibodies and novel oral small molecules for cancer. The collaboration takes advantage of Ambrx’s clinically validated drug discovery technology platforms with BeiGene’s expertise and resources to pursue the research and commercialization of next-generation biologics drugs.
Ambrx has developed exclusive Expanded Genetic Code technology platforms in order to allow the efficient incorporation of non-natural amino acids into proteins in both E. Coli (ReCODETM) and CHO cells (EuCODETM). John V. Oyler, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of BeiGene, believes that by leveraging this site-specific conjugation technology, BeiGene can further expand its portfolio of next-generation biologics. This partnership with Ambrx is another example of their commitment to investing in innovative early-stage research – both via the internal resources and capabilities and via collaborations.
An upfront payment of $10 million will be given to fund the initial discovery and research activities and additional upfront payments of up to $19 million if BeiGene elects to initiate additional programs. Ambrx is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments up to a total of $446 million for all programs. BeiGene will have global rights to develop and commercialize any drug products resulting from the collaboration.