C4 Therapeutics, Inc. and Roche enter a new collaboration to develop degrader-antibody conjugates for cancer, with $20M upfront and potential milestones exceeding $1 billion.
Written By: Samiksha Jadhav, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
C4 Therapeutics, Inc. announced a new research collaboration with Roche to advance degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs), an emerging cancer treatment modality that integrates targeted protein degradation with antibody-drug conjugation technologies. The partnership aims to develop therapies that combine the selectivity of antibodies with the catalytic activity of degraders to eliminate disease-causing proteins.
Two DAC Programs Target Undisclosed Oncology Targets
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on two DAC programs directed at undisclosed oncology targets. C4 Therapeutics will use its proprietary TORPEDO® platform to design degrader payload candidates, while Roche will select antibodies, perform conjugation, and advance candidates through preclinical and clinical development. Roche will also be responsible for commercialization. The agreement includes an option for Roche to add a third target.
Companies Highlight Complementary Capabilities
Andrew Hirsch, president and chief executive officer of C4 Therapeutics, said the collaboration combines C4T’s catalytic and selective degrader design capabilities with Roche’s experience in antibody-drug conjugates, creating a new modality with potential to deliver highly targeted cancer therapies.
Boris Zaïtra, head of corporate business development at Roche, noted that Roche has supported targeted protein degradation since first partnering with C4 Therapeutics in 2016. He added that this third collaboration builds on the long-standing relationship and focuses on advancing degrader-antibody conjugates as a new therapeutic approach.
Financial Terms Include Upfront Payment and Milestones
C4 Therapeutics will receive a $20 million upfront payment covering the initial two programs. The company may receive an additional payment if Roche exercises its option for a third target. Across the collaboration, C4 Therapeutics is eligible for more than $1 billion in discovery, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on future product sales.
DACs Aim to Improve Therapeutic Index of ADCs
Degrader-antibody conjugates are designed to expand on traditional antibody-drug conjugates by using small-molecule degraders as payloads. These degraders work through a catalytic mechanism to selectively eliminate disease-driving proteins, potentially improving therapeutic index and enabling targeting of proteins that are difficult to inhibit using conventional approaches.
TORPEDO Platform Supports Degrader Design
C4 Therapeutics’ TORPEDO® platform supports development of heterobivalent degraders, molecular glue degraders, and degrader-antibody conjugates. The platform integrates DNA-encoded libraries, Cereblon targeting tools, AI-assisted ternary complex modeling, and proteomics to design selective degraders across oncology and other disease areas.
Reference
C4 Therapeutics Expands Long-Term Partnership with Roche Through New Collaboration Agreement Focused on Discovering and Developing Degrader-Antibody Conjugates (DACs), 09 April 2026, https://ir.c4therapeutics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/c4-therapeutics-expands-long-term-partnership-roche-through-new
About the trial
Samiksha Vikram Jadhav is a B.Pharm graduate with a strong academic foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, and drug development. She has a keen interest in healthcare advancements, clinical research, medical writing, and emerging therapies. Her work focuses on presenting developments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors through clear and accurate scientific communication.
