Athenex, Inc., (NASDAQ: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, announced today it has expanded its relationship with a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), in the development of advanced cell and gene therapies, to a preferred partnership.
Buffalo, N.Y., May 31, 2022 – Athenex, Inc., (NASDAQ: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, announced today it has expanded its relationship with a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), in the development of advanced cell and gene therapies, to a preferred partnership.
Over the past ten years, Athenex has established a productive relationship with GenScript and GenScript ProBio as a provider of high-quality reagents and materials to support multiple Research and Development initiatives. GenScript ProBio launched in 2020 as a CDMO dedicated to manufacturing of materials related to antibody-based therapeutics and cell and gene therapies. Athenex recognizes the continued potential of partnering with GenScript ProBio to support the cell therapy initiatives and leveraging their existing affiliation.
“Our strong relationship with GenScript has allowed us to extend our partnership to the CDMO Genscript ProBio,” said Dan Lang, President Athenex Cell Therapy. “We are grateful to work with such a collaborative partner on several of our R&D initiatives. GenScript ProBio provides us the high-quality materials required for our NKT cell therapy platform, as well as valuable guidance related to regulatory expectations of various agencies. We look forward to advancing our development efforts together with the team at GenScript ProBio.”
As Athenex advances the development of multiple Natural Killer T (NKT) cell-based therapies for the treatment of various cancers, GenScript ProBio continues to provide high-quality materials and services critical to this effort, including plasmid DNA and the development of ancillary materials to support the NKT manufacturing process. In addition to the manufacture of critical reagents and materials, the GenScript ProBio team provides expert guidance regarding quality programs and expectations of regulatory agencies worldwide.
Athenex will continue to partner with GenScript ProBio to support our cell therapy initiatives for both clinical stage development and commercial stages.
“We are pleased to partner with Athenex continually and are honored to support this promising multiple Natural Killer T (NKT) cell-based therapies project,” said Dr. Brian Min, CEO of GenScript ProBio. “I believe the cooperation will further show the technology and platform advantages of both parties. Our quality management systems ensure phase appropriate compliance, data integrity and traceability. We will look forward to getting the project to supporting these programs as they advance through clinical development and expect more patients will benefit from superior treatments.”
About GenScript ProBio
GenScript ProBio is the subsidiary of GenScript Biotech Corporation, proactively providing end-to-end CDMO service from drug discovery to commercialization with proactive strategies, professional solutions and efficient processes in gene and cell therapy (GCT), vaccine, biologics discovery and antibody protein drug to accelerate drug development for customers.
GenScript ProBio’s total gene and cell therapy solution covers CMC of plasmid and virus for IND filing as well as clinical manufacturing and commercial manufacturing. GenScript ProBio’s innovative solutions for biologics discovery and development include therapeutic antibody discovery, antibody engineering and antibody characterization. GMP capacity which meets FDA, EMA and NMPA regulatory requirements.
Toward the mission of “Innovation through Collaboration”, GenScript ProBio is committed to helping customers shorten the timeline for the development of biological drugs from discovery to commercialization, significantly lowering R&D costs and building a healthier future.
https://www.genscriptprobio.com
About Athenex, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of next generation cell therapy drugs for the treatment of cancer. In pursuit of this mission, Athenex leverages years of experience in research and development, clinical trials, regulatory standards, and manufacturing. The Company’s current clinical pipeline is derived mainly from the following core technologies: (1) Cell therapy based on NKT cells (2) Orascovery, based on a P-glycoprotein inhibitor, and (3) Src Kinase Inhibition. Athenex’s employees worldwide are dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by creating more active, accessible and tolerable treatments. For more information, please visit www.athenex.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are typically identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “expect,” “guidance,” “implementing,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “underway,” “will,” and similar expressions. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: our history of operating losses and our need and ability to raise additional capital to continue as a going concern; our ability to successfully redirect our resources and reduce our operating expenses; our ability to uncertainties around our ability to enter into new financing agreements as we are unable to meet funding conditions under our existing financing agreements and access to capital thereunder; the development stage of our primary clinical candidates, including NKT Cell Therapy and related risks involved in drug development, clinical trials, regulation, uncertainties around regulatory reviews and approvals; the preclinical and clinical results for Athenex’s drug candidates, which may not support further development of such drug candidates; the Company’s ability to successfully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates and gain approval of its drug candidates on a timely basis, if at all; risks related to our ability to successfully integrate the business of Kuur into our existing businesses, including uncertainties associated with maintaining relationships with customers, vendors and employees, as well as differences in operations, cultures, and management philosophies that may delay successful integration and our ability to support the added cost burden of Kuur’s business; risks related to counterparty performance, including our reliance on third parties for success in certain areas of Athenex’s business; risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation, including purported stockholder class actions; risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing impact on our operations, supply chain, cash flow and financial condition; competition; intellectual property risks; risks relating to doing business internationally and in China; the risk of development, operational delays, production slowdowns or stoppages or other interruptions at our manufacturing facility as well as our ability to find alternative sources of supply to meet our obligations and requirements; whether we enter into a preferred contract manufacturing agreement with ImmunityBio; the risk that our common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Market if we are unable to regain compliance with its continued listing standards, and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings, copies of which are available for free in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://ir.athenex.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=254495&p=irol-sec or upon request from our Investor Relations Department. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Athenex Contacts
Investors
Daniel Lang, MD
Athenex, Inc.
Email: danlang@athenex.com
Caileigh Dougherty
Athenex, Inc.
Email: cdougherty@athenex.com
GenScript ProBio Contacts
Media Relations Manager
Shanlin Yang
Email: Shanlin.Yang@genscriptprobio.com