VERAXA Biotech AG (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 (NASDAQ: OABI). The company stated that OmniAb has successfully completed its discovery work, allowing the program to move into its next phase. This milestone highlights the progress in developing next-generation antibody-based therapeutics that aim to improve treatment precision for solid tumors.
VXA-222 is designed to target two tumor antigens with a single molecule using an “AND-gate” approach, intended to enhance selectivity and reduce off-target effects compared to conventional ADCs. Under the collaboration launched in May 2025, OmniAb provided antibody discovery technologies, including its OmniClic platform, while VERAXA applied 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 advancement of VXA-222 marks a significant step for VERAXA, which is building a pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats. The company’s technology is based on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/qMRuJ. Additional news and updates on VRXA can be found in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/VRXA.
This development underscores the potential of bispecific ADCs to address key challenges in oncology, such as tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. By engaging two different antigens, VXA-222 may achieve more specific tumor targeting, potentially leading to better efficacy and safety profiles in clinical settings. The collaboration between VERAXA and OmniAb exemplifies how combining complementary technologies can accelerate the development of complex biologics.
As the program progresses, further preclinical and clinical data will be crucial to validate the AND-gate approach. The successful completion of discovery work by OmniAb demonstrates the feasibility of using its platform to generate bispecific antibodies that can be effectively conjugated with cytotoxic payloads. VERAXA’s proprietary linker technology is designed to ensure stable conjugation and controlled release of the drug, which is critical for the therapeutic window of ADCs.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond the immediate milestone. It signals continued innovation in the ADC space, particularly in the design of multispecific antibodies that can overcome limitations of traditional ADCs. For investors and stakeholders, the advancement of VXA-222 provides a tangible indicator of progress in VERAXA’s pipeline and the potential value of its collaboration with OmniAb.
