ABCEUTICS, INC.
Improving the safety and efficacy of cancer drugs
Abceutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical startup spun out of UB, pioneered a novel drug class aimed at preventing the delivery of anticancer toxins to healthy cells. Through a collaboration with UB, the company developed payload-binding selectivity enhancer (PBSE) technology to enhance the safety of antibody-drug conjugates. These advancements in reducing the toxicity of cancer treatments, exemplified by Abceutics’ PBSE innovation, hold promise for delivering curative doses safely, potentially improving the survival rate for cancer patients. In 2024, Abceutics was acquired by Merck, a global biopharmaceutical leader.
How Abceutics collaborates with UB
Accelerates R&D
Licenses Technology
Occupies Office Space
Engages in Startup Programs
Receives Mentorship
Uses High-Tech Equipment
Obtains Funding
Accesses Legal Services
CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
Antibody-drug conjugates harm healthy cells
While cancer treatments are effective at destroying tumors, they can also be harmful to healthy cells. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are one type of cancer therapy designed to specifically target and destroy cancer cells. They combine a monoclonal antibody, which seeks out cancer cells, with a cytotoxic drug delivered directly to the cancer cell. However, ADCs can unintentionally affect healthy cells in several ways: by mistakenly targeting healthy cells with similar antigens, premature drug release due to unstable linkers, and potential clearance by the immune system, reducing their effectiveness against cancer cells while possibly harming healthy tissues.
SOLUTION & OUTCOME
New drug optimizes the efficacy of ADC therapy
Using technology licensed from UB, Abceutics engineered a new class of drugs called payload-binding selectivity enhancers (PBSEs) which work to prevent the entry of anticancer drug molecules into non-targeted cells. PBSEs are designed to be administered alongside ADCs to reduce the risk of side effects, potentially optimizing the therapeutic selectively and efficacy of ADC therapy. They work by binding and neutralizing excess and stray payload molecules, reducing the impact of these highly toxic cancer treatments from harming healthy cells. By decreasing unwanted toxicity, PBSEs enables safe administration of higher ADC doses to improve anti-cancer efficacy.
UB SUPPORT
Entrepreneurial support from lab to acquisition
Joseph Balthasar, PhD, David and Jane Chu Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery and Development in UB’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, invented the technology that would serve as the basis of payload-binding selectivity enhancers (PBSEs). He and his students disclosed the technology to UB in early 2017. Following discussions with UB’s Technology Transfer Office, Balthasar and his team developed many PBSE constructs, leading to patenting and licensing of the technology. UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships team then provided a suite of startup resources to help Balthasar form Abceutics in 2020. This included entrepreneurship training, funding, and high-tech facilities and equipment in UB’s Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. Ultimately, Abceutics was acquired by Merck, a global biopharmaceutical company, in 2024.
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