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 full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/qMRuJ.
VXA-222 represents a significant step in VERAXA’s pipeline of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics. The company’s proprietary BiTAC format and other innovative modalities are designed to enhance specificity and efficacy in oncology. 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.
The advancement of VXA-222 underscores the potential of bispecific ADCs to address limitations of conventional ADCs, such as off-target toxicity and narrow therapeutic windows. By engaging two distinct tumor antigens, the “AND-gate” mechanism aims to ensure that the cytotoxic payload is released only in the presence of both targets, thereby increasing tumor selectivity and reducing damage to healthy tissues. This approach could be particularly beneficial for solid tumors, which often exhibit heterogeneous antigen expression.
VERAXA’s collaboration with OmniAb leverages complementary expertise: OmniAb’s robust antibody discovery platforms, including the OmniClic technology, enable the generation of highly specific bispecific antibodies, while VERAXA’s linker and conjugation technologies facilitate stable attachment of cytotoxic drugs. The successful completion of the discovery phase validates the feasibility of this integrated approach and paves the way for lead optimization and preclinical development.
Investors and industry observers are closely watching VERAXA’s progress, as the bispecific ADC market is projected to grow rapidly, driven by the need for more precise cancer therapies. The company’s ability to advance VXA-222 into the next phase could enhance its competitive positioning in the ADC space. For the latest news and updates on VRXA, visit the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VRXA.
Forward-looking statements in this article involve risks and uncertainties, as detailed in the company’s filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements.
