Cancer’s Next-Gen Smart Bomb: Who Will Be First To Weaponize?

With 70 clinical trials now underway on a “next generation” of more precisely targeted antibody drug conjugates, In Vivo profiles Ambrx and Sutro Biopharma, two smaller biotechs with promising technologies and powerful partners that augment their strong science with disease awareness, deep commercial networks and global geographic reach.

ADC

While innovations in drug discovery occupy center stage in the battle against cancer, it is the obscure mechanics of drug delivery that may have the edge in attacking – selectively, with laser-like precision – the mutant cell growth that leads to lethal tumors. New platform technologies linked to improved understanding of the genetic origins of most cancers are driving the creation of engineered protein antibodies that can be weaponized with toxins to single out cancer cells and kill them. The precise targeting of cancerous cells carries significant benefit to patients, minimizing the dangerous side effects of scorched earth chemotherapies, controlling the collateral damage to healthy tissue and raising the overall tolerability of a more potent treatment regimen.

The concept of using antibodies to fight cancer cell proliferation has been around for more than a decade, with two...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Innovation

Podcast: Acuitas CSO On CRISPR Delivery Breakthrough And Next-Gen Lipid Nanoparticle Technology

 
• By 

In Vivo sits down with Ying Tam, CSO at Acuitas Therapeutics, to discuss the company's role in delivering the first personalized CRISPR treatment to an infant and the clinical implications of new lipid nanoparticle technologies.

BioBytes: AI-Related Deals In Q2 ‘25

 
• By 

When it came to AI-related deals, the second quarter of 2025 was characterized by mostly modest financings.

Thinking Outside The BIOX: Bioxodes Takes Novel Approach To Intracerebral Hemorrhage

 
• By 

Although intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for only 13% of all strokes, it is responsible for approximately 40% of stroke-related deaths. A Belgian biotech is looking in unusual places to rectify this situation, namely in a tick’s mouth.

Podcast: ADDF’s Karen Harris On Investing In Alzheimer’s Like A VC

 
• By 

A discussion with Karen Harris, CFO of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, about the foundation's investment strategy, biotech and investor sentiment at the recent BIO conference and what innovations give her hope for Alzheimer's patients.

More from In Vivo

Podcast: ADDF’s Karen Harris On Investing In Alzheimer’s Like A VC

 
• By 

A discussion with Karen Harris, CFO of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, about the foundation's investment strategy, biotech and investor sentiment at the recent BIO conference and what innovations give her hope for Alzheimer's patients.

Turning Defense Into Attack: Snapshots Of A Changing Medtech Market And How To Respond

 
• By 

Against a backdrop of shifting trade policies, the end of multilateral market approaches and renewed focus on supply chain resilience, medtechs are doubling down on innovation in products and processes – using AI – and keeping unmet needs and outcomes in the center of the target.

AI Agents Set To Reshape Biopharma’s Workforce And Operations

 
• By 

While biopharma companies experiment with genAI, agentic AI is rapidly shifting the work paradigm towards one of autonomous digital workers that can handle entire process flows.