WuXi XDC Licenses WuXiTecan-2 Platform to Ona Therapeutics for ADC Development

SHANGHAI, Sept. 17, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- WuXi XDC, a leading global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) specializing in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), has entered into a new collaboration with Ona Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on first-in-class ADCs for treatment-resistant cancers. Under the terms of the agreement, Ona Therapeutics will receive an exclusive global license to WuXi XDC’s proprietary WuXiTecan-2 payload-linker technology platform.

The collaboration aims to advance the development of an ADC candidate against a single target. Ona Therapeutics will leverage its expertise in first-in-class target discovery, combining it with the WuXiTecan-2 platform to create a novel ADC. WuXi XDC will provide comprehensive chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) development and manufacturing support, utilizing its integrated ADC CRDMO platform.

This partnership marks the second collaboration between Ona Therapeutics and WuXi XDC in the ADC field. The previous agreement, signed in 2024, allowed Ona Therapeutics to license technologies to support its ADC pipeline. The current deal reflects the continued strategic relationship between the two companies and underscores Ona Therapeutics' confidence in the commercial value and global competitiveness of WuXi XDC’s technology platforms.

Jimmy Li, Ph.D., CEO of WuXi XDC, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We are truly honored to join forces once again with Ona Therapeutics. As an innovative biotech company focused on first-in-class targets, Ona's deep insights into novel targets are highly complementary to WuXi XDC's leading ADC technology platforms. With its hydrophilic linker delivering significantly enhanced ADC stability, the WuXiTecan-2 platform has completed two out-licensing deals within just six months. This collaboration not only further validates the value of our WuXiTecan-2 platform but also reaffirms WuXi XDC's commitment to empowering innovative biotech companies worldwide."

Valerie Vanhooren, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Ona Therapeutics, commented, "Partnering again with WuXi XDC and applying its WuXiTecan-2 payload-linker technology to our first-in-class ADC candidate represents an important step in advancing our pipeline. Our previous collaboration established a strong foundation, and we are pleased to build on that relationship as we work to accelerate this promising program toward the clinic with the aim of making a meaningful difference for patients with cancer."

WuXi XDC's proprietary WuXiTecan-2 payload-linker technology platform is designed to enhance the stability and efficacy of ADCs. The platform has already demonstrated its potential in two out-licensing deals within a short period, underscoring its value and competitiveness in the ADC market. The collaboration with Ona Therapeutics is expected to accelerate the development of a novel ADC candidate, bringing new treatment options to patients with treatment-resistant cancers.

The agreement includes an upfront payment and potential milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on net sales upon commercialization of the resulting ADC product. WuXi XDC will provide CMC development and manufacturing support, leveraging its integrated ADC CRDMO platform to ensure the successful advancement of the project.

This partnership is a significant step for both companies, as it brings together the strengths of WuXi XDC's advanced technology and Ona Therapeutics' innovative target discovery capabilities. The collaboration is expected to drive the development of a promising ADC candidate, potentially offering new hope to patients suffering from treatment-resistant cancers.