Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) has taken a significant step in advancing cancer treatment by signing a collaboration and license agreement with Genentech, part of the Roche Group. This partnership centers on utilizing Starpharma’s proprietary DEP® drug delivery technology to potentially develop new cancer therapies. The agreement includes a $5.5 million (AUD 8.3 million) upfront payment to Starpharma and the opportunity to earn up to $564 million (AUD 855 million) in milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on products’ global sales.
At the heart of this collaboration is Starpharma’s DEP® platform, which is based on dendrimer technology. Dendrimers are highly branched, tree-like molecules cleverly engineered to enhance drug delivery. By attaching therapeutic compounds to these dendrimers, Starpharma creates dendrimer-drug conjugates designed to improve various drug characteristics. This includes better solubility, increased efficacy, pharmacokinetic control, which is the way a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body, and reduced toxicity.
This technology has broad applications. It can be customized for small molecules, peptides, proteins, chemotherapeutics, antibody-drug conjugates, and even radiotheranostics, which are treatments that combine radiation therapy with diagnostic imaging. The advantages of DEP® technology mean that drug developers can potentially increase the effectiveness of therapies while reducing harmful side effects, ultimately aiming for medicines that maximize benefits for patients.
Under the agreement, Starpharma has granted Genentech an exclusive worldwide license to use the DEP® platform on certain oncology targets. This could result in multiple products developed for each target, showcasing the versatility and promise of the technology. Importantly, after three years of collaborative research, the companies aim to continue building on their shared expertise to bring new, effective cancer treatments to market.
Starpharma’s Chief Executive Officer, Cheryl Maley, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. She highlighted that the deal not only recognizes the potential of Starpharma’s dendrimer technology but also marks the successful outcome of years of collaborative effort with Genentech. Maley sees the alliance as a strategic priority for Starpharma, aiming to develop high-impact partnerships that unlock full potential for their DEP® platform and expand its reach globally. She emphasized how both teams share a commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for patients with cancer, a demanding and vital mission.
Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Roche Corporate Business Development, reflected on the longstanding dedication of Roche and its subsidiaries to oncology innovation. He reaffirmed Genentech’s commitment to transforming cancer care through breakthrough science, aligning well with the goals of the collaboration with Starpharma.
This deal comes at a time when Genentech is refining its oncology and cell therapy strategies. Not long ago, Genentech walked away from a different $2 billion cell therapy partnership to focus its resources more tightly, indicating a strategic shift towards collaborations that best fit its current development priorities. Partnering with Starpharma to leverage novel drug delivery technology fits within this refined approach, combining Genentech’s cancer expertise with Starpharma’s innovative platform.
For Starpharma, the opportunity to work with a leading global biotech like Genentech is a significant accelerator for both scientific validation and commercial potential. By licensing out its DEP® technology, Starpharma can maintain its focus on platform innovation while Genentech advances development and commercialization of resulting cancer therapies. This synergy could well bring new treatment options to patients facing cancer, a field where progress remains needed.
Beyond the financial milestones and the upfront payment, the real promise of this partnership is the hope it offers for better cancer therapies through sophisticated drug delivery. Starpharma’s DEP® platform, by improving how drugs behave in the body and targeting them more precisely, adds valuable tools to the fight against cancer. If this collaboration delivers as hoped, it could lead to therapies that not only attack tumors more effectively but also spare patients from the harsh side effects often associated with cancer treatments.
The evolution of this partnership will be worth watching closely over the coming years, as the companies tackle the challenges of bringing next-generation oncology medicines forward. As biotechnology advances, collaborations like this illustrate how innovation in drug delivery can open new doors for treating complex diseases, making the science behind the medicine just as important as the medicine itself.
