Antikor to present at the 3rd Next Generation Conjugates Summit, Boston, Feb 26-28,


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About Antikor

Antikor Biopharma Ltd is a private multidisciplinary biopharmaceutical company spun out from Imperial College London. The company is located at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst on the GSK site close to the life science clusters of Cambridge and London. The company is leveraging technologies acquired from Photobiotics (now a subsidiary company) in the development of more effective Antibody-Drug Conjugates in the treatment of numerous cancers and in other therapeutic areas.

About Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are a relatively new type of therapeutic comprising a targeting molecule (an antibody) linked to a cytotoxic drug. When a patient is treated with an ADC, the antibody specifically directs the drug to the tumour cell and kills it. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents cannot be specifically targeted in this way. ADC targeted therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the biotech sector, with numerous significant partnership deals in place. Two current next generation ADCs, Kadcyla and Adcetris, have been approved recently in breast cancer and lymphoma, respectively, and other drug candidates are in the development pipeline. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking a real interest in this field, leading to licensing opportunities for biotechnology companies specialising in antibody-drug conjugation technologies.

Antikor is presenting the Stream Keynote Lecture ‘Advances in ADC Engineering’ at Biologics UK 2022

Dr M Deonarain is attending and giving the Stream Keynote Lecture “Advances in ADC Engineering” at Oxford Global's Biologics UK Conference on 21-22 March, 2022, London.


Events / Conferences

Notes to Editors

About Antikor

Antikor Biopharma Ltd is a private multidisciplinary biopharmaceutical company spun out from Imperial College London. The company is located at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst on the GSK site close to the life science clusters of Cambridge and London. The company is leveraging technologies acquired from Photobiotics (now a subsidiary company) in the development of more effective Antibody-Drug Conjugates in the treatment of numerous cancers and in other therapeutic areas.

About Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are a relatively new type of therapeutic comprising a targeting molecule (an antibody) linked to a cytotoxic drug. When a patient is treated with an ADC, the antibody specifically directs the drug to the tumour cell and kills it. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents cannot be specifically targeted in this way. ADC targeted therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the biotech sector, with numerous significant partnership deals in place. Two current next generation ADCs, Kadcyla and Adcetris, have been approved recently in breast cancer and lymphoma, respectively, and other drug candidates are in the development pipeline. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking a real interest in this field, leading to licensing opportunities for biotechnology companies specialising in antibody-drug conjugation technologies.

Antikor presenting at the 6th Annual Next-Generation Immuno-oncology Conference, March 2022

Dr Deonarain is attending and presenting a lecture titled "Development of Next-Generation Antibody Fragment Drug Conjugates Tailored for Gastric Cancer" at the 6th Annual Next-Generation Immuno-oncology Conference, 10-11 March, 2022, London.


Events / Conferences

Notes to Editors

About Antikor

Antikor Biopharma Ltd is a private multidisciplinary biopharmaceutical company spun out from Imperial College London. The company is located at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst on the GSK site close to the life science clusters of Cambridge and London. The company is leveraging technologies acquired from Photobiotics (now a subsidiary company) in the development of more effective Antibody-Drug Conjugates in the treatment of numerous cancers and in other therapeutic areas.

PhotoBiotics’ awarded Science Bridges China grant to co-develop antibody drug conjugates with Quassi

London, 1st June, 2014. PhotoBiotics and Quassia Biopharma Company Ltd have been jointly awarded ¥ 0.75 million (approximately £80,000) to collaborate and co-develop antibodies and drug conjugates based on PhotoBiotics OptiLink™ technology and photosensitiser drugs and Quassia’s proprietary antibodies. This grant was facilitated by a scheme run by the University of Bradford1 and the UKTI and is awarded by the Changzhou Bureau of Science and Technology, China.

PhotoBiotics is developing light-activated antibody drug conjugates and is keen to explore the wider uses of their technology as well as to collaborate in developing markets. There is a lot of activity in Chinese Biopharma research with the aim to bring Western innovation and cutting edge drug development and manufacturing to China. Quassia Biopharma is leading drug manufacturers and is expanding into biologics.

Dr Deonarain comments "We are grateful to the Science Bridges China programme for bring us together with our new Chinese partners and look forward to a fruitful collaboration that could yield novel treatments for oncology. This useful experience could open up further opportunities in terms of funding and business".

About PhotoBiotics

PhotoBiotics Ltd is a multidisciplinary company spun out from Imperial College London to explore ways of targeting drugs directly to tumours, thus enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment while also reducing unwelcome side-effects. The Company has developed a unique and simple antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology platform, denoted OptiLink™, which enables the multiple attachment of drugs to antibody fragments. Counter-intuitively, OptiLink™ allows far higher drug loadings on antibody fragments than normally achieved with whole monoclonal antibodies.

The PhotoBiotics' R&D team has already succeeded in its initial objective of targeting photosensitiser-based drugs to tumours, generating compelling efficacy data in various orthotopic and xenograft models, and has a product ready to enter preclinical toxicology / clinical development. The Company is now exemplifying how OptiLink™ has utility across a wide range of other ADC applications, including the targeted delivery of conventional cytotoxic drugs and optical imaging agents.


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PhotoBiotics’ CSO presents at the SMi ADC Conference

London, 19th May, 2014. Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics’ Chief Operating Officer/Chief Scientific Officer was an invited speaker and panel member at SMi’s 3rd ADC (Antibody Drug Conjugate) Summit being held in London, May 19th-20th, 20121.

Key players in ADC research and development will be assembled in London to describe recent progress and developments in antibody-drug conjugates. Dr Deonarain chaired the first day and spoke about PhotoBiotics’ OptiLink platform2 in combination with its proprietary light-activatable drugs. Uniquely, PhotoBiotics’ light-activated ADCs, with built-in half-life extension, are based on antibody fragments, which offer considerable advantages over whole antibody-based ADCs, particularly regarding therapeutic window and the ability to penetrate solid tumours much more efficiently.

ADC targeted therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the biotech sector, with significant partnership deals being sealed and major innovation happening. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking a real interest, leading to licensing opportunities for biotechnology companies specialising in antibody-drug conjugation technologies.

Dr Deonarain comments “PhotoBiotics' OptiLink technology combined with light-activatable drugs and possible other drug classes offers new opportunities for product development. Normally small fragments are cleared too quickly but our unique photosensitiser drugs actually clear more slowly offering substantial pharmacokinetic benefits with low side-effects”.


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PhotoBiotics’ key ‘OptiLink’ patent granted in USA

London, 1st May, 2014. PhotoBiotics have been notified by the United States Patent Office (USPO) that its key patent (application US8703427) covering its OptiLink™ conjugation technology for light-activated antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has satisfied all the conditions and will now be granted as a US patent dated 22nd April, 20141.

Dr Deonarain comments "This follows on from the EU granting in the major US market. This granting gives PhotoBiotics protection to be able to commercialise its light-activated ADC technology in this most valuable pharmaceutical market, where photonics-based technologies are widely adopted. This should lead to future partnering and development opportunities."


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PhotoBiotics’ key ‘OptiLink’ patent granted in Europe

London, 1st November, 2013. PhotoBiotics have been notified by the European Patent Office (EPO) that its key patent (application EP 06794684.8) covering its OptiLink™ conjugation technology for light-activated antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has satisfied all the conditions and will now be granted as a European patent1.

Dr Deonarain comments "This patent is already granted in Australia but this granting gives PhotoBiotics protection to be able to commercialise its light-activated ADC technology in the major European market, where photonics-based technologies are very much a European Commission priority area". Photonics has been highlighted as a key enabling technology in the soon to be announce Horizon 2020 Funding program2.


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PhotoBiotics presents Antibody Directed Phototherapy at the 30th Conference on Monoclonal Antibodies

London, 25th June, 2013. Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics' Chief Operating Officer/Chief Scientific Officer is an invited speaker 30th Conference on Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Stem Cells, Greece, June 25th 20131.

Research and industry leaders and innovators across the spectrum of antibody therapeutics will be attending and presenting at 30th Conference on Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Stem Cells, one of the longest running antibody-cancer conferences to discuss recent progress and developments in antibody technologies. This special anniversary conference will be attended by leading names and pioneers in the cancer and antibody field including Sir Greg Winter and Sir Walter Bodmer and take place on the beautiful island of Mykonos. Dr Deonarain will be speaking on the second day about PhotoBiotics' OptiLink™ platform2 in combination with its proprietary light-activatable drugs and co-chairing a panel discussion on empowered antibodies. Uniquely, PhotoBiotics' light-activated ADCs, with built-in half-life extension, are based on antibody fragments, which offer considerable advantages over whole antibody-based ADCs, particularly regarding therapeutic window and the ability to penetrate solid tumours much more efficiently.

ADC targeted therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the biotech sector, with significant partnership deals being sealed and major innovation happening3. The first of the new generation ADCs has been approved for Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer, with the latter being the hotly awaited follow-up to Herceptin3. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking a real interest, leading to licensing opportunities for biotechnology companies specialising in antibody-drug conjugation technologies.

Dr Deonarain comments "It will be a pleasure to present PhotoBiotics' OptiLink™ to such a varied and distinguished audience in such beautiful surroundings. There will be many opportunities to informally network and engage with key opinion leaders which should be beneficial for the company in the longer term".


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PhotoBiotics’ awarded a TSB Biomedical Catalyst Early Stage Award

London, 1st June, 2013. PhotoBiotics have been awarded a Technology Strategy Board Biomedical Catalyst Early stage award to carry out a 2 year pre-clinical development study on a photo-active ADC for oesophageal cancer using its OptiLink™ platform.

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB)1 Biomedical Catalyst funding scheme is the government’s flagship scheme to support its biotechnology industry. The Early Stage award allows companies to take a proven technological concept and apply it in an area that could add value, intellectual property and opportunities for their business. It is a two-stage competitive process where less than third of the applications are funded and some 43 SME-led applications shared an overall pot of £47m for Round 2 of the scheme.

In collaboration with its academic partners at University College London’s National Medical Laser Centre (NMLC) and Imperial College London’s Dept of Chemistry, the PhotoBiotics-led consortium will develop an Antibody-Directed Phototherapy (ADP) approach to treat oesophageal cancer. The UK has the highest incidence of OA in the world with an estimated 8,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Of these 7600 patients die of their disease. The abysmal UK mortality rate, presently the 4th highest among cancers in men, has shown little improvement over the last 5 years2 due to a lack of treatment options. An ADP approach is less invasive than surgery, and will allow metastatic local lymph nodes to be treated. PhotoBiotics (led by Dr Deonarain) will produce the photo-active ADC, while Imperial College London (led by Dr Marina Kuimova) will investigate its photophysical properties and Dr Adil Butt at the NMLC (led Dr Laurence Lovat) will test the drug in pioneering oesophageal cancer preclinical models.

Dr Deonarain comments "This phenomenal award will allow PhotoBiotics to generate some real value from its proprietary antibody, drug and OptiLink™ conjugation platform in a disease that will benefit from the features of targeted photodynamic therapy. It shows our committed investors that we are progressing toward the clinic with a potentially superior product". Dr Lovat adds "This ADP approach meets a vital and growing clinical need in the UK for effective personalised oesophageal cancer treatments. We aim to use ADP in an out-patient setting, and for it to be applicable to the majority of patients. The minimally invasive nature of this treatment avoids the significant mortality and morbidity which accompany invasive surgery and chemotherapy."


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PhotoBiotics’ CSO presents at Innovate UK 2013

London, March 2013: 
Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics' Chief Operating Officer/Chief Scientific Officer was an invited speaker in the Technology Strategy Board's session on Biomedical Catalyst Funding at the UK's premier High-Tech showcase conference, Innovate UK 2013

Innovate UK is the leading innovation and trade event for UK High-Tech businesses and is organised by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB)2 and UK Trade and Investment. Around 4000 people attend from business, government and academia to network and take in presentations from successful companies and to learn about new trends and opportunities

Dr Deonarain was invited by the TSB to present the case study of PhotoBiotics as a leading biotechnology company that has successfully secured multiple TSB Biomedical Catalyst funding awards, the government's flagship scheme to support its biotechnology industry. He presented the story of how PhotoBiotics was established and has been able to adapt itself to the rapidly-changing antibody-drug conjugation field to take advantage of technology and product opportunities. He concluded by saying what a wonderful scheme it was and how it has helped the business going forward.

Dr Deonarain comments “It was a real honour and pleasure to be invited by the TSB to give our case study. It’s great to be recognised as a trusted and progressing company to share our experiences with emerging companies”.


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  1. https://www.innovateuk2013.co.uk
  2. https://www.innovateuk.org/
  3. For more information on PhotoBiotics' technology, please contact: Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics Ltd, Dept of Life Sciences, Biochemistry Building, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ., UK. Email: m.deonarain@imperial.ac.uk.

PhotoBiotics presents Antibody Directed Phototherapy Update at Euroscicon Empowered Antibodies

London, 14th May, 2013. Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics' Chief Operating Officer/Chief Scientific Officer is an invited speaker at the inaugural Euroscicon BioTherapeutics week of conferences on 14th May, 20131.

Industry leaders and innovators across the spectrum of biotherapeutics will be presenting at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst from 14th-17th May, 2013 discussing recent progress and developments in immunotherapy technologies. Dr Deonarain will be speaking on the first day ‘Empowered Antibodies' about PhotoBiotics' OptiLink™ platform2 in combination with its proprietary light-activatable drugs. Uniquely, PhotoBiotics' light-activated ADCs, with built-in half-life extension, are based on antibody fragments, which offer considerable advantages over whole antibody-based ADCs, particularly regarding therapeutic window and the ability to penetrate solid tumours much more efficiently. The fact that there is now a dedicated stream to this topic shows how important ADCs have become in the arsenal of antibody therapeutics.

ADC targeted therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the biotech sector, with significant partnership deals being sealed and major innovation happening3. The first of the new generation ADCs has been approved for Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer, with the latter being the hotly awaited follow-up to Herceptin3. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking a real interest, leading to licensing opportunities for biotechnology companies specialising in antibody-drug conjugation technologies.

Dr Deonarain comments "PhotoBiotics' OptiLink™ technology combined with light-activatable drugs offer a new approach to ADCs currently in development. Normally small fragments are cleared too quickly but our unique drugs actually clear more slowly offering substantial pharmacokinetic benefits with low side-effects".


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PhotoBiotics’ awarded a TSB Biomedical Catalyst Feasibility Award

London, November 2012: 
PhotoBiotics have been awarded a Technology Strategy Board Biomedical Catalyst Feasibility award to carry out a 1 year R&D study to explore applications of its OptiLink™ platform.

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB)1 Biomedical Catalyst funding scheme is the UK government's flagship scheme to support its biotechnology industry. The Feasibility award allows companies to explore high-risk, high-gain R&D concepts that could add value, intellectual property and opportunities for their business. It is a completive process where less than third of the applications are funded. Some 22 SME-led applications shared an overall pot of £29m for Round 1 of the scheme.

Dr Deonarain comments "This scheme has been a real boon for the industry, allowing companies like us to take some risk with only a small, 25% financial outlay. If successful, our OptiLink™ technology will be even more valuable and allow us to exploit our expertise with a wider range of potential biopharma partners".


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PhotoBiotics’ presents at the Application of Monoclonal Antibodies in Clinical Oncology Conference

London, June 2012: 
Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics' Chief Operating Officer/Chief Scientific Officer is an invited speaker at one of the longest established antibody therapy meetingsin Mykonos, Greece, 25th-27th June, 20121.

The Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies conference enters its 29th year and will see many established academic and industry leaders returning to Mykonos to present updates and reflect on how the field has advanced over the last 30 years. Dr Deonarain will be speaking about PhotoBiotics' OptiLinkTM platform2 in combination with its proprietary light-activatable drugs. Uniquely, PhotoBiotics' light-activated ADCs, with built-in half-life extension, are based on antibody fragments, which offer considerable advantages over whole antibody-based ADCs, particularly regarding therapeutic window and the ability to penetrate solid tumours much more efficiently. ADCs have re-emerged over the last 5 years after inferior technologies from the 1980s led to clinical disappointment.

ADC targeted therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the biotech sector, with significant partnership deals being sealed and major innovation happening. The first of the new generation ADCs has just been approved for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and others are in the pipeline3. Major pharmaceutical companies are taking a real interest, leading to licensing opportunities for biotechnology companies specialising in antibody-drug conjugation technologies.

Dr Deonarain comments "PhotoBiotics' OptiLinkTM technology combined with light-activatable drugs offer a new approach to ADCs currently in development. Normally small fragments are cleared too quickly but our unique drugs actually clear more slowly offering substantial pharmacokinetic benefits with low side-effects".


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Notes to Editors

  1. http://www.cancerconferences.org
  2. For more information on PhotoBiotics' technology, please contact: Dr Mahendra Deonarain, PhotoBiotics Ltd, Dept of Life Sciences, Biochemistry Building, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ., UK. Email: m.deonarain@imperial.ac.uk.
  3. Pharma interest surges in antibody drug conjugates, Sarah Webb, Nature Biotechnology, April 2011.