VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA) announced the advancement of its bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (“bsADC”) program, VXA-222, after reaching a key technical milestone in its collaboration with OmniAb. The company said OmniAb has successfully completed its discovery work, allowing the program to move into its next phase. VXA-222 is designed to target two tumor antigens with a single molecule using an “AND-gate” approach intended to improve precision in treating solid tumors.
Under the collaboration launched in May 2025, OmniAb provided antibody discovery technologies, including its OmniClic platform, while VERAXA is applying its proprietary linker technology and conjugation expertise to develop and validate the lead bsADC candidate. VERAXA holds exclusive rights to develop and commercialize products arising from the collaboration, with OmniAb entitled to a share of specified revenue generated from resulting products.
The advancement of VXA-222 marks a significant step for VERAXA’s pipeline, which includes bispecific T cell engagers and other innovative antibody-based formats. The company leverages transformative technologies and quality-by-design principles to accelerate the development of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technology.
This milestone underscores the potential of bispecific ADCs to address limitations in conventional cancer therapies by enhancing tumor specificity and reducing off-target effects. The “AND-gate” design requires the simultaneous binding of both tumor antigens, potentially improving the therapeutic index. As VERAXA moves VXA-222 into the next phase, the company aims to validate the candidate through preclinical studies before advancing to clinical trials.
The collaboration with OmniAb provides VERAXA access to a diverse antibody discovery platform, which may expedite the identification of optimal binding domains. OmniAb’s technology enables the generation of antibodies with favorable developability profiles, a critical factor for complex bispecific formats. VERAXA’s proprietary linker technology is designed to ensure stable conjugation and controlled payload release, which are key for ADC efficacy and safety.
For more information, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/qMRuJ. Updates on VERAXA Biotech can be found in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VRXA.
Forward-looking statements in this article involve risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in the company’s filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, and the company undertakes no duty to update them unless required by law.
