VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA) announced today the advancement of its bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (“bsADC”) program, VXA-222, after reaching a key technical milestone in its collaboration with OmniAb. The company said OmniAb has successfully completed its discovery work, allowing the program to move into its next phase. VXA-222 is designed to target two tumor antigens with a single molecule using an “AND-gate” approach intended to improve precision in treating solid tumors.
Under the collaboration launched in May 2025, OmniAb provided antibody discovery technologies, including its OmniClic platform, while VERAXA is applying 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 underscores the potential of bispecific ADCs to address limitations of traditional antibody-drug conjugates, which often suffer from off-target toxicity. By requiring the simultaneous presence of two tumor antigens, the AND-gate approach aims to enhance tumor selectivity and reduce damage to healthy tissues. This could represent a significant step forward in solid tumor treatment, where precise targeting remains a major challenge.
VERAXA is building a pipeline of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell engagers and bispecific ADCs, leveraging technologies from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). The company's BiTAC format is a registered trademark. For more information on the collaboration and program details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/qMRuJ.
The collaboration with OmniAb provides VERAXA with access to diverse antibody libraries and screening capabilities, accelerating the discovery of optimized bispecific antibodies. VERAXA’s proprietary linker technology is designed to enable stable conjugation and controlled payload release, which are critical for ADC efficacy and safety. The company expects to provide further updates on VXA-222’s preclinical development in the coming months.
This announcement comes as the ADC market continues to expand, with several approved therapies and a robust pipeline. Bispecific ADCs are gaining attention for their potential to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve therapeutic windows. VERAXA’s progress with VXA-222 positions it among a growing number of companies exploring this approach.
Forward-looking statements in this release involve risks and uncertainties as detailed in the company’s SEC filings. The latest news and updates regarding VRXA are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VRXA.
