DualityBio, Genentech Strike ADC Deal Worth More Than $1 Billion in Potential Milestones

DualityBio has entered into a global collaboration and license agreement with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to develop ADCs incorporating payloads from its proprietary DualityBio Unique Payload Antibody Conjugate (DUPAC) platform. The agreement provides DualityBio with a $45 million upfront payment, more than $1 billion in potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on annual net sales. Genentech will assume further clinical development and global commercialization after Phase 1a.

Novel ADC payloads target resistance beyond topoisomerase inhibitors

DUPAC is one of four ADC technology platforms developed by DualityBio and focuses on payloads with novel mechanisms of action. The platform includes multiple distinct payloads, each built around a different antitumor mechanism.

DUPAC pairs these novel payloads with optimized and compatible linker technologies that support systemic stability and tumor-selective payload release. The payloads also feature high potency, broad-spectrum activity across tumor types, short systemic half-lives that allow rapid clearance, and a bystander effect suited to heterogeneous solid tumors.

The approach addresses an emerging challenge in ADC therapy. As topoisomerase inhibitor-based ADCs move into earlier treatment lines across major solid tumor indications, more patients are likely to progress after exposure to this payload class. DUPAC aims to provide alternative payload mechanisms that can retain antitumor activity in tumors resistant or relatively insensitive to topoisomerase inhibitor-based ADCs.

Genentech targets remain undisclosed

Under the agreement, DualityBio will generate and develop ADCs against Genentech-defined oncology targets using payloads from the DUPAC platform. The specific targets have not been disclosed publicly.

DualityBio will lead discovery and early global clinical development for the collaboration programs. Genentech receives exclusive worldwide licenses to the resulting ADCs and will assume sole responsibility for further clinical development and commercialization after Phase 1a.

The companies have not disclosed specific ADC candidates, target indications, clinical trial designs or development timelines.

Preclinical data provide the initial rationale

DUPAC encompasses several payloads, including DUP5, DUP9 and DUP10, with each acting through a distinct antitumor mechanism. DualityBio has presented preclinical data from DUP5- and DUP9-based ADC programs at multiple scientific meetings.

These studies included activity in tumor models that were relatively insensitive to topoisomerase inhibitor payloads, as well as non-human primate tolerability findings. The company presented the data at AACR 2025, the 2025 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference and AACR 2026.

The findings remain preclinical and do not establish clinical efficacy or safety in humans. The subsequent development of the Genentech collaboration programs will therefore determine whether the differentiated payload biology translates into meaningful therapeutic activity.

Deal combines DualityBio and Genentech capabilities

DualityBio CEO John Zhu said the collaboration reflects the growing need for alternative payload mechanisms as topoisomerase inhibitor-based ADCs move into earlier lines of therapy. He highlighted DUPAC’s potential to address resistance while broadening the biological scope of ADC programs.

Boris L. Zaïtra, head of Roche Corporate Business Development, said the partnership supports Roche’s broader effort to advance targeted cancer medicines through external innovation.

 Financial terms and Path Forward

DualityBio will receive $45 million upfront and is eligible for more than $1 billion in aggregate development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments across the collaboration programs, in addition to tiered royalties on annual net sales of approved products.

The announcement does not disclose an equity investment as part of the transaction. The publicly disclosed economics therefore center on the upfront payment, potential milestones and sales-based royalties.

DualityBio will advance the programs through discovery and early global clinical development, while Genentech is positioned to take over after Phase 1a. Key milestones will include selection of specific ADC candidates, clinical entry and determination of whether DUPAC’s novel payload mechanisms can deliver differentiated efficacy with an acceptable safety profile.

Reference

DualityBio Enters a Global Collaboration and License Agreement with Genentech to Develop Next-Generation ADCs Built on DualityBio’s DUPAC Novel-Payload Platform