VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA) has announced a significant milestone in its oncology pipeline: the VXA-222 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (bsADC) program has advanced beyond the discovery phase and into the next stage of development. This progress follows the successful completion of the discovery portion of the company's collaboration with OmniAb Inc., which began in May 2025 (https://nnw.fm/nIprz).
Under the terms of the collaboration, OmniAb delivered a portfolio of therapeutic antibody binders. VERAXA is now responsible for engineering the final bispecific ADC candidate and advancing preclinical validation. Although VXA-222 is not based on VERAXA's proprietary BiTAC platform, it leverages the company's expertise in antibody engineering, linker design, and conjugation technologies, making it one of its more advanced development programs.
Alongside this development milestone, VERAXA has expanded its intellectual property portfolio with its first BiTAC-related patent filings, as well as additional patents supporting conjugation chemistry, payloads, and antibody technologies. The company now holds more than 50 granted owned or exclusively licensed patents across 26 patent families in 14 countries, with newly filed applications expected to extend protection into at least 2047.
This strategic expansion of intellectual property is crucial for VERAXA as it continues to build a diversified oncology pipeline. The company is developing bispecific antibody-drug conjugates, T-cell engagers, and engineered antibody formats targeting difficult-to-treat cancers. By securing broad patent coverage, VERAXA aims to protect its innovative technologies and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of cancer therapeutics.
The advancement of VXA-222 and the strengthening of its patent portfolio underscore VERAXA's commitment to addressing significant unmet medical needs in oncology. With a robust pipeline and a solid intellectual property foundation, the company is well-positioned to progress its candidates through preclinical and clinical development, potentially offering new treatment options for patients with challenging cancers.
