Duality Biologics

Duality Biologics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company established in January 2020 by Dr. John Zhu, a seasoned venture capital investor with over two decades of experience in biotech entrepreneurship. Dr. Zhu transitioned from his role as a partner at 6 Dimensions Capital and Wuxi Ventures to found DualityBio, driven by a vision to build a globally-oriented biopharma company focused on Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). His decision was inspired by the transformative potential of next-generation ADCs, like Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu, which demonstrated a superior efficacy and safety profile, signaling a new era in targeted cancer therapy.

The company focuses on discovering and developing next-generation ADC therapeutics for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. DualityBio operates on a business model that combines in-house research and development with a strategic out-licensing and collaboration strategy. This allows the company to generate revenue through upfront payments, developmental and commercial milestone payments, and tiered royalties from partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies. Its primary clients are large biopharmaceutical corporations seeking to expand their oncology and immunology pipelines. Notable collaborations include multi-asset deals with BioNTech, BeiGene, GSK, and Avenzo Therapeutics, which have involved payments and potential milestones collectively worth billions.

DualityBio has developed a suite of proprietary technology platforms, including the Duality Immune Toxin Antibody Conjugate (DITAC) for oncology and the Duality Immune Modulating Antibody Conjugate (DIMAC) for autoimmune diseases. The DITAC platform is engineered to create ADCs with wider therapeutic windows, stable delivery, and a potent 'bystander effect' that kills adjacent cancer cells. The company's pipeline includes several clinical-stage assets. Key candidates partnered with BioNTech are DB-1303 (BNT323), a HER2-targeting ADC for breast and endometrial cancers, and DB-1311 (BNT324), which targets B7-H3 for solid tumors like prostate and lung cancer. Another significant asset is DB-1305, a TROP2-targeting ADC, also partnered with BioNTech. Several of these programs, including DB-1303 and DB-1311, have received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA, underscoring their potential to address significant unmet medical needs.

Since its inception, DualityBio has secured substantial funding, raising over $120 million by mid-2021 through Series A and B rounds, with investors including Lilly Asia Ventures, WuXi Biologics, and 6 Dimensions Capital. This capital has fueled the advancement of its pipeline, which now comprises seven clinical-stage ADCs and over ten preclinical candidates. The company operates with a global footprint, with teams in China and the United States, conducting clinical trials across more than 20 countries.

Keywords: Antibody-Drug Conjugates, ADC therapeutics, clinical-stage biotech, oncology, autoimmune diseases, John Zhu, DITAC platform, BioNTech partnership, HER2 ADC, B7-H3 ADC, TROP2 ADC, solid tumor treatment, biopharmaceutical licensing, cancer therapy, protein engineering, bispecific antibodies, DB-1303, DB-1311, Duality Immune Toxin Antibody Conjugate, next-generation biologics