Araris Biotech

Araris biotech is a Swiss biotechnology company pioneering the development of a proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-linker technology. The company's linker platform enables the attachment of any drug payload to 'off-the-shelf' antibodies without the need for prior antibody engineering. The resulting ADCs have demonstrated very high activity at low doses and an improved therapeutic index compared to FDA-approved ADCs in preclinical studies.

Araris biotech's novel approach involves using a linker platform that allows for the stable attachment of toxic agents to unmodified antibodies, reducing the likelihood of the payload detaching prematurely. This technology aims to streamline the creation of ADCs, making them more stable and effective. The company is advancing several ADC candidates, including a dual topoisomerase-1 inhibitor (TOP1i) ADC platform that combines two different TOP1 inhibitors.

One of Araris biotech's lead programs is an ADC targeting HER2-expressing tumors, such as certain breast cancers. In preclinical studies, this candidate has shown superior anti-tumor efficacy compared to existing treatments like trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), with high stability and favorable exposure to maximize payload delivery. Another candidate targets the NaPi2b protein, often overexpressed in ovarian and lung cancers, combining two TOP1i payloads and demonstrating good biophysical properties and high anti-tumor activity in preclinical models.

In April 2023, Araris biotech acquired ARS Pharmaceutical's Nectin-4 antibody, which the company plans to use in developing a differentiated Nectin-4 ADC using its proprietary linker technology. The acquisition aims to expand Araris biotech's ADC pipeline and advance a candidate into clinical development.